AD 93-02-15

93-02-15 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-8499. Docket 93-NM-10-AD.

Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, manufacturer's serial numbers (MSN) 263 to 384, inclusive; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent the failure of the airplane to respond to autopilot commands during autoland, the inability to start the constant speed motor/generator, and the disconnection of battery power during landing gear extension, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following statement. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD, or a copy of Model A320 AFM Temporary Revision 9.99.99/90, Issue 2, dated December 22, 1992, in the AFM.

"DUAL APs OPERATION IS MANDATORY FOR AUTOLAND AND CAT 3 APPROACHES AND IS RECOMMENDED FOR ILS APPROACHES UNTIL REPLACEMENT OF POSSIBLE DEFECTUOUS ELECTRICAL TERMINAL BLOCKS."

(b) Within 400 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, inspect the terminal blocks installed in the autopilot and the electrical generation systems to determine the date of manufacture, in accordance with Airbus Industrie All Operator Telex 24-02, Revision 1, dated December 23, 1992. (1) If no terminal block with a date code between 9129 and 9149, inclusive, is found, the restriction required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM. (2) If any terminal block with a date code between 9129 and 9149, inclusive, is found, prior to further flight, replace the defective terminal block with a terminal block having a date code that is not between 9129 and 9149, inclusive, and perform an operational test of the system in which the terminal block is located, in accordance with the AOT. Following accomplishment of these requirements, the restriction required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.

(c) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 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, Standardization Branch.

NOTE: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) The AFM revision shall be done in accordance with Model A320 AFM Temporary Revision 9.99.99/90, Issue 2, dated December 22, 1992; and the inspection, replacement, and testing shall be done in accordance with Airbus Industrie All Operator Telex 24-02, Revision 1, dated December 23, 1992. 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 11, 1993.