EASA AD 2018-0024
Door — Forward and Aft Cargo Door Frame Forks — Inspection / Repair
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0024 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection and repair requirements for forward and aft cargo door frame forks on Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes with manufacturer serial numbers up to 0758 inclusive. The directive mandates repetitive special detailed inspections and corrective actions to detect cracks in cargo door frame forks, which could compromise structural integrity. It also requires modification of affected doors to terminate the inspection requirements.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0024 supersedes AD 2016-0187 and retains its inspection and repair requirements while introducing a mandatory modification of all affected cargo doors as terminating action for repetitive inspections. This change is based on further investigations related to widespread fatigue damage and aims to enhance the structural integrity of cargo doors by requiring the embodiment of the terminating modification.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because undetected cracks in cargo door frame forks can lead to door failure, decompression, and potential injury to occupants. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft safety and airworthiness. The directive impacts maintenance planning, inspection scheduling, and repair procedures for affected Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft.
What To Do
Operators must perform special detailed inspections of all frame forks in the beam 4 area of affected cargo doors within specified compliance times and at intervals not exceeding 3,000 flight cycles. If cracks are found, corrective actions must be completed as per Airbus service bulletin instructions. Additionally, all affected doors must be modified before exceeding 56,300 flight cycles but not before 21,700 flight cycles since first installation, to terminate the repetitive inspection requirements.
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