EASA AD 2014-0272R1
Wings — Frame 40 Lower Junction Fastener Holes — Inspection / Repair
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0272R1 is an updated regulation addressing inspection and repair requirements for the frame 40 lower junction fastener holes on Airbus A300 and A300-600 aeroplanes. It mandates specific inspections to detect cracks in the fittings around these fastener holes to ensure structural integrity. The directive applies to all models and serial numbers of these aircraft types.
What Changed
This revision removes the Airbus A300-600ST aeroplanes from the applicability scope following the issuance of a separate AD 2025-0168 for those models. It continues to require repetitive High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspections and introduces rototest inspections as a terminating action for the HFEC inspections, along with repair instructions if cracks are found.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural safety of Airbus A300 and A300-600 aircraft by preventing crack initiation in a key wing junction area. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must adhere to these inspection intervals and repair requirements to avoid potential structural failures and ensure continued airworthiness.
What To Do
Operators must perform HFEC inspections within 1,000 flight hours after 29 December 2014 and repeat every 1,000 flight hours until a rototest inspection is completed. Within 36 months after 29 December 2014, fasteners must be removed for hole diameter measurement followed by rototest inspections or repairs as applicable. Any cracks found require contacting Airbus for approved repair instructions before further flight. Rototest inspections must be repeated every 7,000 flight cycles thereafter.