Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2017-22-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-19087; Docket No. FAA-2017-0478; Product Identifier 2016-NM-174-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective January 2, 2018.
Doors
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, - 115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, - 231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes, certificated in any category, manufacturer serial numbers through 0758 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, .
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the frame forks and outer skin on the forward and aft cargo compartment doors. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks on the frame forks and outer skin on the forward and aft cargo compartment doors, which could lead to reduced structural integrity and failure of the cargo compartment door, possible decompression of the airplane, and injury to occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Definition of Affected Door
For the purpose of this AD, an ``affected door'' is a forward or aft cargo compartment
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door, having any part number listed in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, except a cargo compartment door on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1042 or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1170 is embodied. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28NO17.017
(h) Repetitive Special Detailed Inspection of Frame Forks
At the latest of the compliance times listed in paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(4) of this AD: Do a special detailed inspection of all frame forks in the beam 4 area of any affected door as defined in paragraph (g) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1171, Revision 02, dated April 10, 2017, except as specified in paragraphs (k) and (l) of this AD. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight cycles. A review of the airplane delivery or maintenance records is acceptable to identify any affected door installed on the airplane, provided that the cargo compartment door part number can be conclusively determined from that review.
(1) Before exceeding 37,500 flight cycles since first installation of the door on an airplane.
(2) Within 900 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, without exceeding 41,950 flight cycles since first installation of the door on an airplane.
(3) Within 50 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, for a door having reached or exceeded 41,900 flight cycles since first installation on an airplane.
(4) Within 3,000 flight cycles since the last inspection of the door as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1032.
(i) Corrective Actions
If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1171, Revision 02, dated April 10, 2017, except as specified in paragraphs (k) and (l) of this AD. Accomplishment of applicable corrective actions does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
(j) Optional Terminating Action
Modification of all affected doors of an airplane in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3)of this AD, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (h) of this AD for that airplane.
(1) Modification of all affected doors of an airplane in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1042, Revision 2, dated January 14, 1997, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (h) of this AD for that airplane, provided that, after modification, no affected door is re-installed on that airplane.
(2) Modification of all affected doors of an airplane including accomplishment of all applicable related investigative and corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1170, dated September 5, 2016, except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections specified in paragraph (h) of this AD for that airplane, provided that, after modification, no affected door is re-installed on that airplane.
(3) Modification of all affected doors on an airplane, in case of finding damaged frame forks, as specified in an Airbus Repair Design Approval Sheet (RDAS), and done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA); constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection specified in paragraph (h) of this AD for that airplane, provided that, after modification, no affected door is re-installed on that airplane.
(k) Exception to Service Information
Where Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1170, dated September 5, 2016; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1171, Revision 02, dated April 10, 2017; specifies to contact Airbus for appropriate action, and specifies that action as ``RC'' (Required for Compliance): Before further flight, accomplish corrective actions in accordance withthe procedures specified in paragraph (o)(2) of this AD.
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(l) No Reporting Requirement
Although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1171, Revision 02, dated April 10, 2017, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, and specifies that action as ``RC,'' this AD does not include that requirement.
(m) Credit for Previous Actions
(1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1171, dated October 29, 2015, provided that it can be conclusively determined that any part number D52371000018 was also inspected as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
(2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1171, Revision 01, dated September 5, 2016.
(n) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, an affected door specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, unless it has been inspected in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD and all applicable corrective actions have been done in accordance with paragraph (i) of this AD.
(o) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (p)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to:
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA- authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as specified in paragraphs (k) and (l) of this AD: If any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(p) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0187, dated September 19, 2016, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0478.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 425-227-1405; fax: 425-227-1149.
(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (q)(3) and (q)(4) of this AD.
(q) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1042, Revision 2, dated January 14, 1997 (pages 5, 9, and 19 through 22 of this document are identified as Revision 1, dated November 22, 1993).
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1170, dated September 5, 2016, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated September 5, 2016.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1171, Revision 02, dated April 10, 2017.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone: +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax: +33 5 61 93 44 51; email:
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.airbus.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.