AD 2013-24-08

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 6, 2014.

This AD supersedes AD 2006-06-14, Amendment 39-14523 (71 FR 15023, March 27, 2006).

This AD applies to Airbus Model A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, A318-122, A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-111, A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers.

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

This AD was prompted by a report of several in-service incidents of wear and detachment of the top-stops from magnetic fuel level indicators (MFLI) in a wing fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source in the wing fuel tank in the event of a lighting strike, which could result in a fire or explosion.

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

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (f) of AD 2006-06-14, Amendment 39-14523 (71 FR 15023, March 27, 2006). For Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; A320-111 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; Model A321-111, -112, and -131 airplanes; and Model A321-211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes; on which Airbus Modification 27496 has not been installed in production: Within 65 months or 6,500 flight hours after May 1, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-06-14), whichever is first, review the airplane's maintenance records to determine the part number (P/N) of each MFLI of the wing fuel tanks in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1138, dated March 18, 2005. If the P/N cannot be identified, or the P/N is identified in the “old P/N” column of the table in paragraph 1.L., “Interchangeability/Mixability,” of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1138, dated March 18, 2005, before further flight, do the applicable related investigative and corrective actions by accomplishing all of the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1138, dated March 18, 2005.

This paragraph restates the requirements paragraph (g) of AD 2006-06-14, Amendment 39-14523 (71 FR 15023, March 27, 2006). For Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; A320-111 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; Model A321-111, -112, and -131 airplanes; and Model A321-211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes; on which Airbus Modification 27496 has not been installed in production: As of May 1, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-06-14), no person may install on any airplane any MFLI of the wing fuel tanks with a P/N identified in the “old P/N” column of the table in paragraph 1.L., “Interchangeability/Mixability,” of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1138, dated March 18, 2005.

For all airplanes, except as provided by paragraph (k) of this AD: At the next scheduled fuel tank entry after the effective date of this AD, or within 49,000 flight hours after May 1, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-06-14, Amendment 39-14523 (71 FR 15023, March 27, 2006)), whichever occurs first, perform a special detailed inspection of the wing tank to determine which type of magnetic fuel level indicators (MFLI) are installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1209, dated December 12, 2011. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection, if the part number and the type of the installed MFLI can be conclusively determined from that review. Paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(11) of this AD identify the affected MLFI part numbers.

(1) 3508802-24.

(2) 3508802-25.

(3) 3508802-26.

(4) 3508802-27.

(5) 3508802-28.

(6) 3508802-34.

(7) 3508802-39.

(8) 3508802-74.

(9) 3508802-75.

(10) 3508802-76.

(11) 3508802-91.

Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD:

The affected MFLI have the `S'-shaped lock-wire design.

If, during the inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD, a MFLI with the `S' shaped lock-wire design (Part Number (P/N) listed in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(11) of this AD) is found, then at the next scheduled fuel tank entry after the effective date of this AD, or within 49,000 flight hours after May 1, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-06-14, Amendment 39-14523 (71 FR 15023, March 27, 2006)), whichever occurs first, replace the affected MFLI with a serviceable part and accomplish the corrective actions (repair), as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1209, dated December 12, 2011. For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable part is a composite MFLI, or a metallic MFLI with the top stop retained by a `trapped wire,' as applicable to the location identified in Table 1 of paragraph (j) of this AD.

Airplanes on which Airbus Modification (mod) 27496 has been embodied in production, and on which no wing tank MFLI replacement with a part number listed in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(11) of this AD has been made since first flight, are not affected by the requirement of paragraph (i) of this AD.

As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any airplane a MFLI with a part number listed in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(11) of this AD.

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, send it to ATTN: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed 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 its delegated agent, or by the Design Approval Holder with a State of Design Authority's design organization approval). For a repair method to be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer to this AD. You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199), are not allowed.

Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2012-0119, dated July 4, 2012, for related information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0698-0002.

(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.

(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on January 6, 2014.

(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1209, dated December 12, 2011.

(ii) Reserved.

(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 1, 2006 (71 FR 15023, March 27, 2006).

(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1138, dated March 18, 2005.

(ii) Reserved.

(5) 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 account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com.

(6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

(7) 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.