SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN

Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

NM-08-31

July 2, 2008

This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts operators, repair stations, mechanics holding an Inspection Authorization (IA), and Flight Standard District Office (FSDO) Principal Maintenance Inspectors (PMI) of a safety issue associated with non-textile floors (NTF) from vendor BENECKEKALIKO and GÔPPINGER-KALIKO installed on Airbus Model A300, A300-600, A310, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes.

Background

Non-textile floor, “flight floor ATS,” from vendors BENECKE-KALIKO and GÔPPINGERKALIKO, installed on certain Airbus airplanes at delivery, initially passed the 12-second vertical burner test in accordance with JAR/FAR § 25.853 requirements. It was discovered later that the composition (NTF top layer plus adhesive plus phenolic laminate), as installed in the aircraft, failed the same 12-second vertical burner test.

Recommendations

We recommend replacing the NTF on all Airbus series airplanes fitted with BENECKE-KALIKO and GOPPINGER-KALIKO NTF, part numbers (PN) 440444-75050BCV, 440458, 440458OK, 440488, 440489, 440497, 440499, 440501, and 422225020, with a composition (NTF top layer plus adhesive plus phenolic laminate) that fulfills the applicable requirements of 14 CFR Part 25.853. Replacement procedures are described in Airbus Maintenance Manual 25-28-12/42PB 401.

We have evaluated the nature of the flammability issue, location and use of the materials in the airplanes, and the extent to which the materials are used. Based on this evaluation, we have determined at this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Note 1: The NTF part numbers that failed the 12-second vertical burner test have been embodied in production in accordance with one of the following Airbus modifications:

• Models A300, A310, and A300-600: Modification 11568.

• Models A319, A320, and A321: Modifications 20883, 22863, 24024, 25214, 25787, 26674, 27244, 27544, 27664, 27694, 27733, 28029, 28043, 28203, 28434, 28601, 30177, 30313, 30473, 30553, 30713, 30913, 31303, 31543, 31633, or 31683.

• Models A330 and A340: Modifications 40413, 40716, 43894, 46163, 46164, 46778, 46794, 47780, 47788, 47816, 47846, 48189, or 48598.

Note 2: The same part numbers also may have been embodied in service by application of operator cabin modifications.

Note 3: Non-textile floors listed in Airbus Service Information Letter, ref. SIL 25-131, dated May 19, 2004, have been identified as fulfilling the JAR/FAR § 25.853 requirements.

For Further Information Contact

Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: (425) 227-2125; fax: (425) 227-1149; e-mail: Dan.Rodina@faa.gov.

For Related Service Information Contact

Airbus Customer Services Directorate, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; +33 (0) 561.93.33.33.