AD/A320/126 - Passenger Door Outer Handle (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes

AD/A320/126 Passenger Door Outer Handle 10/2001

Applicability: Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aircraft up to and including serial number 1261.

Requirement: Clean and lubricate the passenger outer door handle assembly in accordance with the requirements of Airbus Industrie All Operator Telex (AOT) 52A1106.

Previous accomplishment of MRB Task 52-10-00 Item 3 - Lubrication of Exterior Control Handles - satisfies the intent of this Airworthiness Directive.

Note: DGAC AD 2000-519-158(B) refers.

Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 500 flight hours of the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 October 2001.

Background: The manufacturer has advised that if the outer handle flap assembly is in the incorrect position the passenger door cannot be opened from inside the aircraft and could delay passenger evacuation in an emergency. This may be caused by lack of grease and/or presence of corrosion inhibitor.