Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21705 · Fire protection
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of low halon concentration in the forward and aft cargo compartments due to air leakage through cargo door seals, and the certification of improved cargo door seals. This AD requires repetitive cleaning and greasing of affected cargo door seals; replacing the forward, aft, and bulk cargo compartment door seals with new seals; and installing a placard on the forward, aft, and cargo compartment doors; and for certain airplanes, implementing an operational limitation for certain routes, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0049, dated February 18, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0049).
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0049 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0049 refers to June 20, 2020 (the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0133, dated June 10, 2020), this AD requires using August 19, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-16-01). However, operators only need to show compliance with this AD for the cleaning and greasing actions required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0049 that are accomplished on or after the effective date of this AD. As of the effective date of this AD, operators do not need to show compliance with the cleaning and greasing actions required by AD 2020-16-01 for any cargo door seal having part number (p/n) D5237106020000, D5237106020200, D5237106020400, D5237300120000, or D5237300120200; or any bulk cargo door seals having p/n D5237200220000 or D5237200220200, as those actions are now required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0049.
(3) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0049 specifies amending the aircraft flight manual (AFM) and “operating that aeroplane accordingly,” this AD does not include a requirement for “operating that aeroplane accordingly” as that action is already required by existing FAA operating regulations.
(4) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0049 specifies amending “the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) of the aeroplane,” however, this AD requires amending “the existing AFM and applicable corresponding operational procedures.” Inserting a copy of EASA AD 2021-0049 into the existing AFM and applicable corresponding operational procedures is an acceptable method to comply with this requirement.
(5) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0049 does not apply to this AD.
Accomplishing the terminating action on an airplane, as specified in paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2021-0049, for the affected parts defined in EASA AD 2021-0049 terminates all requirements of AD 2020-16-01 for forward and aft cargo door seals having part number (p/n) D5237106020000, D5237106020200, D5237106020400, D5237300120000, or D5237300120200; and bulk cargo door seals having p/n D5237200220000 or D5237200220200 only.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
