Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-16-01, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-16-01 requires repetitive cleaning and greasing of affected cargo door seals (both original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and parts manufacturer approval (PMA) parts). Since the FAA issued AD 2020-16-01, the FAA determined that improved cargo door seals must be installed to address the unsafe condition, and that certain flight operations must be limited until the improved cargo door seals are installed. In addition, the FAA has issued a new AD to address the OEM parts. This proposed AD would limit the applicability to airplanes that have certain PMA parts installed. This proposed AD would retain certain actions required by AD 2020-16-01 and require replacing certain forward and aft cargo compartment door seals with new seals and installing a placard on the cargo compartment doors; and for certain airplanes, implementing an operational limitation for certain routes. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.