AD FAA-2012-0807

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of silicon particles inside the oxygen generator manifolds, which had chafed from the mask hoses during installation onto the generator outlets. This AD requires identifying the part number and serial number of each passenger oxygen container, replacing the oxygen generator manifold of any affected oxygen container with a serviceable manifold, and performing an operational check of the manual mask release, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct non-serviceable oxygen generator manifolds, which could reduce or block the oxygen supply and result in injury to passengers when oxygen supply is needed.