Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 Series Airplanes

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Industrie Model A320 series airplanes, that currently requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit automatic landings in configuration 3 (CONF 3). This amendment limits the applicability of the existing AD, and adds a new revision to the AFM to indicate that automatic landings in CONF 3 are prohibited and to specify an increased minimum runway visual range for airplanes on which certain modifications have not been accomplished. This amendment also requires eventual replacement of the existing spoiler elevator computers with improved parts, and insertion of new pages into the AFM that correct landing distances required for automatic landings in CONF 3. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent pitch-up of the airplane due to activation of the spoilers during an automatic landing, which, if not corrected, could result in tail strikes and structural damage to the airplane.