Airworthiness Directive 98-18768
recurringAirworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 and Model A321 Series Airplanes
What this AD requires
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 and Model A321 series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to verify proper installation of the plain bushings of the upper and lower connection links on the forward and aft passenger/crew doors, and correction of discrepancies. This amendment also requires installation of shouldered bushings on the frame segment used for attachment of the connection links or modification of the frame segment bushing (as applicable), which terminates the repetitive inspection requirements. This amendment is prompted by a report that, during an emergency evacuation of in- service airplanes, the left aft passenger/crew door jammed against the fuselage structure in a nearly closed position due to bushing migration. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent jamming of the passenger/crew door, which could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.
Which aircraft AD 98-18768 applies to
Whether AD 98-18768 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.
How AD compliance is recorded
A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:
Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.
Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.