AD 98-15-06 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 and Model A321 Series Airplanes

Models named: A320, Model A321 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model A320 and Model A321 series airplanes, as listed below, certificated in any category: On which Airbus Modification 24497 has not been installed in production. Or On which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1027, Revision 2, dated February 18, 1993, Revision 3, dated December 10, 1993, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1064, Revision 1, dated September 8, 1995; has not been accomplished. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent jamming of the passenger/crew door, which could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency, accomplish the following: (a) For Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22422 has not been installed in production: Within 450 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection to verify proper installation of the plain bushings of the upper and lower connection links on the forward and aft passenger/crew doors, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1047, dated April 25, 1994. (1) If all bushings are installed properly, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 900 flight hours until the modification required by paragraph (c) of this AD is accomplished. (2) If any bushing has migrated, prior to further flight, remove the passenger/crew door and visually inspect the bushing to [[Page 38295]] detect damage, in accordance with the service bulletin. (i) If the bushing housings are not damaged, prior to further flight, reinstall the bushing in accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the detailed visual inspections of the bushings thereafter at intervals not to exceed 450 flight hours until the modification required by paragraph (c) of this AD is accomplished. (ii) If any bushing housing is damaged, prior to further flight, ream the door structure and install an oversize shouldered bushing, in accordance with the service bulletin. If the damage is not completely removed after reaming, prior to further flight, repair the bushing housing in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. (b) For Model A320 and Model A321 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22422 has been installed in production: Within 450 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection to verify proper installation of the plain bushings of the upper and lower connection links (2 bushings per door), in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex AOT 52-07, dated July 28, 1994, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1066, dated March 6, 1995. (1) If the bushings are installed properly, repeat the detailed visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 900 flight hours, until the modification required by paragraph (d) of this AD is accomplished. (2) If any bushing is found to be improperly installed, prior to further flight, modify the frame segment bushings in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1064, Revision 1, dated September 8, 1995. Accomplishment of the modification constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD. (c) For Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22422 has not been installed in production: Within 3,500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, install shouldered bushings on the frame segment used for attachment of the connection links (Kit No. 521027A02), in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1027, Revision 3, dated December 10, 1993. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD. Note 2: Replacement in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1027, Revision 2, dated February 18, 1993, is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD. (d) For Model A320 and Model A321 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22422 has been installed in production: Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the frame segment bushing in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52- 1064, Revision 1, dated September 8, 1995. Accomplishment of the modification constitutes terminating action for the repetitive detailed visual inspection requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD. (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (g) Except for the repair action provided in paragraph (a)(2)(ii), the actions shall be done in accordance with the following Airbus Service Bulletins and All Operators Telex (AOT), which contain the specified list of effective pages: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service bulletin and AOT referenced Rrevision level shown on and date Page No. page Date shown on page -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service Bulletin A320-52-1047, April 1-15............................................ Original.................... April 25, 1994. 25, 1994. AOT 52-07, July 28, 1994............ 1-2............................................. Original.................... July 28, 1994. Service Bulletin A320-52-1066, March 1-13............................................ Original.................... March 6, 1995. 6, 1995.. Service Bulletin A320-52-1064, 1-4, 8, 21...................................... 1........................... September 8, 1995. Revision 1, September 8, 1995.. 5-7, 9-20....................................... Original.................... November 28, 1994. Service Bulletin A320-53-1027, 1-6, 8, 11, 18, 19.............................. 3........................... December 10, 1993. Revision 3, December 10, 1993. 37-42........................................... 7, 12, 14-17, 20-36............................. 1........................... September 25, 1992 9, 10........................................... Original.................... January 30, 1992. 13.............................................. 2........................... February 18, 1993. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 93-207-048(B), dated December 8, 1993. (h) This amendment becomes effective on August 20, 1998. Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 1998. S.R. Miller, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-18768 Filed 7-15-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U