Document ID: FAA-2011-0257-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes
Posted Date: 2011-03-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16582-16587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6932]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0257; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-122-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This 
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to 
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an

[[Page 16583]]

aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

* * * * *
    The issue 10 of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI [Airworthiness 
Limitation Items] Document and issue 2 of Airbus A319 Corporate Jet 
ALI Document introduce more restrictive maintenance requirements/
airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply with this issue 10 
constitutes an unsafe condition. * * *
* * * * *

    The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or 
corrosion in principal structural elements and possible failure of 
certain life limited parts, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions that 
are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 9, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 
51; e-mail account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149; tim.dulin@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0257; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-122-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On September 21, 2007, we issued AD 2007-20-05, Amendment 39-15215 
(72 FR 56262, October 3, 2007). That AD required operators of Airbus 
Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes to revise the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Sub-part 1-2, ``Life Limits,'' 
and Sub-part 1-3, ``Demonstrated Fatigue Lives,'' of Airbus A318/A319/
A320/A321 ALS Part 1--Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items, dated 
February 28, 2006, and for certain airplanes, Airbus A318/A319/A320/
A321 Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, 
Issue 7, dated December 2005; Issue 08, dated March 2006; or Issue 09, 
dated November 2006. These actions were intended to address an unsafe 
condition on the products listed above.
    Since we issued AD 2007-20-05, we have determined that more 
restrictive limitations are necessary. We have also added Model A318-
121 and -122 airplanes to the applicability. The European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness 
Directive 2010-0071R1, dated May 28, 2010 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations are currently included in Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS).
    The airworthiness limitations applicable to the Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT ALI) are currently given in 
Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI Document reference AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/
96 and Airbus A319 Corporate Jet ALI Document reference AI/SE-M2/
95A.1038/99, which are approved by the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) and referenced in Airbus Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) Part 2.
    The issue 10 of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI Document and 
issue 2 of Airbus A319 Corporate Jet ALI Document introduce more 
restrictive maintenance requirements/airworthiness limitations. 
Failure to comply with this issue 10 constitutes an unsafe 
condition.
    EASA AD 2010-0071 retains the requirements of EASA AD 2006-0165, 
which is superseded, and requires the implementation of more 
restrictive maintenance requirements/airworthiness limitations as 
specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI Document reference AI/
SE-M4/95A.0252/96 issue 10 and Airbus A319 Corporate Jet ALI 
Document reference AI/SE-M2/95A.1038/99.
    This AD has been revised to clarify the special compliance times 
defined in Table 1 of this AD.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation 
Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 10, dated October 2009; and 
A319 Corporate Jet Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document reference 
AI/SE-M2/95A.1038/99, Issue 02, dated March 2009. A319 Corporate Jet 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M2/95A.1038/99, Issue 
02, dated March 2009, states that the limitations for the Model A319 
corporate jets are specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 
10, dated October 2009. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another

[[Page 16584]]

country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 729 products of U.S. registry.
    The actions that are required by AD 2007-20-05 and retained in this 
proposed AD take about 1 work-hour per product, at an average labor 
rate of $85 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost 
of the currently required actions is $85 per product.
    We estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the new basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $61,965, or $85 per 
product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-15215 (72 FR 
56262, October 3, 2007) and adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2011-0257; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-
122-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 9, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-20-05, Amendment 39-15215.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, 
and -122 airplanes; A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, 
and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -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.

    Note 1:  This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (n) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA 
has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular 
(AC) 25.1529-1.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05: Wings.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
* * * * *
    The issue 10 of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALI [Airworthiness 
Limitation Items] Document and issue 2 of Airbus A319 Corporate Jet 
ALI Document introduce more restrictive maintenance requirements/
airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply with this issue 10 
constitutes an unsafe condition. * * *
* * * * *
    The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or 
corrosion in principal structural elements and possible failure of 
certain life limited parts, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2007-20-05

Revise Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) To Incorporate Safe Life 
ALIs

    (g) For Airbus Model A318-111, and -112 airplanes; A319-111, -
112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-
111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model 
A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes: 
Within 3 months after November 7, 2007 (the effective date of AD 
2007-20-05), revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness to incorporate Sub-part 1-2, ``Life Limits,'' and Sub-
part 1-3, ``Demonstrated Fatigue Lives,'' of Airbus

[[Page 16585]]

A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 1--Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation 
Items, dated February 28, 2006. Accomplish the actions in Sub-part 
1-2, ``Life Limits,'' and Sub-part 1-3, ``Demonstrated Fatigue 
Lives,'' of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 1--Safe Life 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, dated February 28, 2006, at the 
times specified in Sub-part 1-2, ``Life Limits,'' and Sub-part 1-3, 
``Demonstrated Fatigue Lives,'' of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS 
Part 1--Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items, dated February 28, 
2006, except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD.

Revise ALS To Incorporate Damage-Tolerant ALIs

    (h) For Airbus Model A318-111, and -112 airplanes; A319-111, -
112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-
111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model 
A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes, 
except Model A319 airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 28238, 
28162, and 28342 have been incorporated in production: Within 14 
days after November 7, 2007, revise the ALS of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 
7, dated December 2005 (approved by the EASA on February 7, 2006); 
Issue 08, dated March 2006 (approved by the EASA on January 4, 
2007); or Issue 09, dated November 2006 (approved by the EASA on May 
21, 2007). Accomplish the actions in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 
7, dated December 2005; Issue 08, dated March 2006; or Issue 09, 
dated November 2006; at the times specified in Airbus A318/A319/
A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/
95A.0252/96, Issue 7, dated December 2005; Issue 08, dated March 
2006; or Issue 09, dated November 2006; as applicable; except as 
provided by paragraph (i) of this AD. Doing the actions required by 
paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this 
paragraph.

Grace Period for New or More Restrictive Actions

    (i) For Airbus Model A318-111, and -112 airplanes; A319-111, -
112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-
111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model 
A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes: 
For any new of more restrictive life limit introduced with Sub-part 
1-2, ``Life Limits,'' and Sub-part 1-3, ``Demonstrated Fatigue 
Lives,'' of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 1--Safe Life 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, dated February 28, 2006, replace the 
part at the time specified in Sub-part 1-2, ``Life Limits,'' and 
Sub-part 1-3, ``Demonstrated Fatigue Lives,'' of Airbus A318/A319/
A320/A321 ALS Part 1--Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items, 
dated February 28, 2006, or within 6 months after November 7, 2007, 
whichever is later. For any new or more restrictive inspection 
introduced with Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation 
Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 7, dated December 2005; 
Issue 08, dated March 2006; or Issue 09, dated November 2006; do the 
inspection at the time specified Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 
7, dated December 2005; Issue 08, dated March 2006; or Issue 09, 
dated November 2006; as applicable; or within 6 months after 
November 7, 2007, whichever is later.

New Requirements of This AD

Revise ALS To Incorporate Damage-Tolerant ALIs With Revised Compliance 
Times

    (j) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the maintenance program by incorporating all maintenance 
requirements and associated airworthiness limitations specified in 
the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Items, 
Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 10, dated October 2009. Comply 
with all applicable maintenance requirements and associated 
airworthiness limitations included in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 
10, dated October 2009, except as provided by paragraph (k) of this 
AD. Doing the actions required by this paragraph terminates the 
requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD.

Special Compliance Times for Certain Tasks

    (k) For new and more restrictive tasks introduced with Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-
M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 10, dated October 2009, as specified in Table 
1 of this AD: The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is 
specified in Table 1 of this AD.

                                     Table 1--Compliance Times for New Tasks
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Task                     Applicability (as          Compliance time, whichever occurs later
                                           specified in the
                                         applicability column
                                             of the task)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
545102-01-6..........................  Group 19-1A CFM, Group   The threshold as         Within 2,000 flight
                                        19-1B CFM, and A320-     defined in Airbus A318/  cycles or 5,500 flight
                                        200 CFM/IAE.             A319/A320/A321           hours, after the
                                                                 Airworthiness            effective date of this
                                                                 Limitation Items,        AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 Document AI/SE-M4/       first.
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 10,
                                                                 dated October 2009.
545102-01-7..........................  A320-100...............  The threshold as         Within 2,000 flight
                                                                 defined in Airbus A318/  cycles or 2,000 flight
                                                                 A319/A320/A321           hours, after the
                                                                 Airworthiness            effective date of this
                                                                 Limitation Items,        AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 Document AI/SE-M4/       first.
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 10,
                                                                 dated October 2009.
572050-01-1 or alternative task        Group 19-1A and Group    At the time of the next  Within 6 months after
 572050[dash]02-1.                      19-1B.                   due accomplishment of    the effective date of
                                                                 any one of the tasks     this AD.
                                                                 572004, 572020, or
                                                                 572053 as currently
                                                                 described in the
                                                                 Airbus A318/A319/A320/
                                                                 A321 Airworthiness
                                                                 Limitation Items,
                                                                 Document AI/SE-M4/
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 7,
                                                                 dated December 2005;
                                                                 Issue 08, dated March
                                                                 2006; or Issue 09,
                                                                 dated November 2006.

[[Page 16586]]

 
572050-01-4 or alternative task        A320-200...............  At the time of the next  Within 6 months after
 572050[dash]02-4.                                               due accomplishment of    the effective date of
                                                                 any one of the tasks     this AD.
                                                                 572004, 572020, or
                                                                 572053 as currently
                                                                 described in the
                                                                 Airbus A318/A319/A320/
                                                                 A321 Airworthiness
                                                                 Limitation Items,
                                                                 Document AI/SE-M4/
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 7,
                                                                 dated December 2005;
                                                                 Issue 08, dated March
                                                                 2006; or Issue 09,
                                                                 dated November 2006.
572050-01-5 or alternative task        Group 21-1A............  At the time of the next  Within 6 months after
 572050[dash]02-5.                                               due accomplishment of    the effective date of
                                                                 any one of the tasks     this AD.
                                                                 572004, 572020, or
                                                                 572053 as currently
                                                                 described in the
                                                                 Airbus A318/A319/A320/
                                                                 A321 Airworthiness
                                                                 Limitation Items,
                                                                 Document AI/SE[dash]M4/
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 7,
                                                                 dated December 2005;
                                                                 Issue 08, dated March
                                                                 2006; or Issue 09,
                                                                 dated November 2006.
572050-01-7 or alternative task        A320-100...............  At the time of the next  Within 6 months after
 572050[dash]02-7.                                               due accomplishment of    the effective date of
                                                                 any one of the tasks     this AD.
                                                                 572004, 572020, or
                                                                 572053 as currently
                                                                 described in the
                                                                 Airbus A318/A319/A320/
                                                                 A321 Airworthiness
                                                                 Limitation Items,
                                                                 Document AI/SE[dash]M4/
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 7,
                                                                 dated December 2005;
                                                                 Issue 08, dated March
                                                                 2006; or Issue 09,
                                                                 dated November 2006.
534132-01-1..........................  A320 PRE 30748.........  The threshold/interval   Within 100 days after
                                                                 as defined in Airbus     the effective date of
                                                                 A318/A319/A320/A321      this AD, without
                                                                 Airworthiness            exceeding the previous
                                                                 Limitation Items,        threshold/interval as
                                                                 Document AI/SE-M4/       defined in Airbus A318/
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 10,   A319/A320/A321
                                                                 dated October 2009.      Airworthiness
                                                                                          Limitation Items,
                                                                                          Document AI/SE-M4/
                                                                                          95A.0252/96, Issue 7,
                                                                                          dated December 2005;
                                                                                          Issue 08, dated March
                                                                                          2006; or Issue 09,
                                                                                          dated November 2006.
531118-01-1..........................  A318 (except (A318-121   The threshold/interval   Within 100 days after
                                        and -122), Group 19-     as defined in Airbus     the effective date of
                                        1A, Group 19-1B, A320,   A318/A319/A320/A321      this AD, without
                                        A321.                    Airworthiness            exceeding the previous
                                                                 Limitation Items,        threshold/interval as
                                                                 Document AI/SE-M4/       defined in Airbus A318/
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 10,   A319/A320/A321
                                                                 dated October 2009.      Airworthiness
                                                                                          Limitation Items,
                                                                                          Document AI/SE-M4/
                                                                                          95A.0252/96, Issue 7,
                                                                                          dated December 2005;
                                                                                          Issue 08, dated March
                                                                                          2006; or Issue 09,
                                                                                          dated November 2006.
531118-01-1..........................  A318-121 and -122......  The threshold/interval   Within 100 days after
                                                                 as defined in Airbus     the effective date of
                                                                 A318/A319/A320/A321      this AD.
                                                                 Airworthiness
                                                                 Limitation Items,
                                                                 Document AI/SE-M4/
                                                                 95A.0252/96, Issue 10,
                                                                 dated October 2009.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 2: New ALI Task 572050 refers to the outer wing dry bay and 
is comprised of extracts from three ALI Tasks: 572004, 572020 and 
572053. The threshold of ALI Task 572050 for the whole dry bay area 
is that of the lowest threshold of the source ALI tasks, i.e., that 
of ALI Task 572053.

No Alternative Life Limits, Inspections, or Inspection Intervals

    (l) After the actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of 
this AD have been accomplished, no alternative life limits, 
inspections, or inspection intervals may be used, except as provided 
by paragraphs (i) and (m) of this AD, and except as required by 
paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (m) After the actions specified in paragraph (j) of this AD have 
been accomplished, no alternative life limits, inspections, or 
inspection intervals may be used.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 3:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service 
information as follows: EASA AD requires operators to comply with 
the limitations specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 
10, dated October 2009; or Airbus A319 Corporate Jet Airworthiness 
Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M2/95A.1038/99, Issue 02, dated 
March 2009; as applicable. However,

[[Page 16587]]

this AD does not require incorporating Airbus A319 Corporate Jet 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M2/95A.1038/99, Issue 
02, dated March 2009, because that ALI only specifies compliance 
with the limitations specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 
10, dated October 2009.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (n) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 Branch/ACO, send it to Attn: Tim 
Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be e-mailed to:  9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 
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. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

Related Information

    (o) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2010-0071R1, dated May 28, 2010; Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-
M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 7, dated December 2005; Airbus A318/A319/A320/
A321 Airworthiness Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, 
Issue 08, dated March 2006; Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 09, dated 
November 2006; and Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items, Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0252/96, Issue 10, dated 
October 2009; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 15, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-6932 Filed 3-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P