AD 99-02-10 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

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

Model A320 series airplanes; serial numbers 002 through 008 inclusive, 010 through 014 inclusive, 016 through 078 inclusive, 080 through 104 inclusive, 106 through 363 inclusive, 365 through 384 inclusive, 386 through 411 inclusive, 413 through 433 inclusive, 435 through 457 inclusive, 459 through 467 inclusive, and 469 through 472 inclusive; except for airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1058, Revision 1, dated November 28, 1994, has been accomplished; certificated in any category. 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 (d) 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 leakage from hydraulic pipe fittings in the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS), which could result in failure of the THS and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following: (a) For airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22621 and Airbus Modification 23556 have not been installed: Within 3,500 flight hours after September 21, 1995 (the effective date of AD 95-17-12), modify the THS in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29- 1058, dated July 16, 1993, or Revision 1, dated November 28, 1994, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1041, Revision 2, dated April 20, 1994. After the effective date of this AD, only Revision 1 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1058 shall be used. (b) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (a) of this AD: Within 3,500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, modify the THS in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1058, Revision 1, dated November 28, 1994, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1041, Revision 2, dated April 20, 1994. (c) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time inspection of the flexible hoses of the elevator return lines on the THS to detect installation of incorrect clamps, or missing clamps or bonding leads, in accordance with Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 29-10, Revision 02, dated February 13, 1995. (1) If the correct clamps are installed, and there are no missing clamps or bonding leads, no further action is required by paragraph (b) of this AD. (2) If any incorrect clamp is installed, prior to further flight, replace the incorrect clamp with the correct clamp; and, if any bonding lead is missing, prior to further flight, install a new bonding lead, in accordance with the AOT. (3) If any clamp or bonding lead is missing, prior to further flight, install new parts in accordance with the AOT. (d) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of [[Page 2819]] compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 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. (f) The inspection shall be done in accordance with Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 29-10, Revision 02, dated February 13, 1995. The modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1058, dated July 16, 1993; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1058, Revision 1, dated November 28, 1994; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1041, Revision 2, dated April 20, 1994; as applicable. (1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1058, Revision 1, dated November 28, 1994, and Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 29-10, Revision 02, dated February 13, 1995, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1058, dated July 16, 1993, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320- 27-1041, Revision 2, dated April 20, 1994, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 21, 1995 (60 FR 43519, August 22, 1995). (3) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 93-123-046(B)R1, dated May 10, 1995. (g) This amendment becomes effective on February 23, 1999. Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 8, 1999. John J. Hickey, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 99-911 Filed 1-15-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P