AD FAA-2016-5589

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-20-07 for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2012-20-07 required revising the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems, and revising the maintenance program to incorporate revised fuel maintenance and inspection tasks. This new AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate revised fuel airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by Airbus issuing more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.