2001-16-14: Escape Slide/Raft

2001-16-14 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12383. Docket 2001-NM-138-AD. Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes equipped with telescopic girt bars of the escape slide/raft assembly, as listed in Airbus Industrie All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-52A1111, Revision 01, dated July 23, 2001; 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 (b) 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 notbeen eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent failure of the escape slide/raft to deploy correctly, which could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers, accomplish the following: Modification/Follow-On Actions (a) Within 1,500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Modify the telescopic girt bar of the escape slide/raft assembly installed on all passenger and crew doors and do a functional test to ensure the girt bar does not retract, per Airbus Industrie AOT A320-52A1111, Revision 01, dated July 23, 2001. (1) If the girt bar retracts, before further flight, replace any discrepant parts and do another functional test to ensure the girt bar does not retract, per the AOT. Repeat the functional test after that at intervals not to exceed 18 months.(2) If the girt bar does not retract, repeat the functional test as required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD. Note 2: Modification and follow-on actions accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD per Airbus Industrie AOT A320-52A1111, dated July 5, 2001, are considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable actions specified in this amendment. Alternative Methods of Compliance (b) 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 Manager, International Branch. ANM-116. Special Flight Permits (c) 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. Incorporation by Reference (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Industrie All Operators Telex A320-52A1111, Revision 01, dated July 23, 2001, including Airbus Industrie Technical Disposition 959.1492/ 01, Issue C, dated July 17, 2001. All Operators Telex A320-52A1111 contains the following list of effective pages: Page number Revision level shown on page Date shown on page 1-4 01 July 23, 2001. Technical Disposition 959.1492/01 1-4 C July 17, 2001. 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 2001-275(B) dated July 11, 2001. Effective Date (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 31, 2001.