Fuselage — Frame 40 Skin Panel Junction — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform the initial special detailed inspection before exceeding the thresholds defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3215 Revision 03, counting from the aircraft's first flight, and repeat inspections at intervals specified in the service bulletin. If cracks or fastener hole tolerance issues are found, corrective actions must be completed before the next flight, including contacting Airbus for repair design approval if necessary. There is no terminating action, so inspections must continue as required.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0146 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection requirements for Airbus A330-223F and A330-243F freighter aircraft. It mandates repetitive special detailed inspections of the fuselage frame 40 lower shell panel junction to detect cracks or fastener hole damage that could compromise structural integrity. The directive applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of these aircraft models.
What changed
This directive introduces repetitive special detailed inspections (rototest) of 10 fastener holes at the frame 40 lower shell panel junction on both left and right sides of the Airbus A330 freighter aircraft. It expands the applicability of previous inspections to include A330 freighter models and requires corrective actions if cracks or out-of-tolerance fastener holes are found. No terminating action is provided, so inspections must continue at specified intervals.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the center fuselage on affected Airbus A330 freighter aircraft. Detecting and repairing cracks or fastener hole damage prevents potential structural failures, ensuring continued airworthiness and safety. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must adhere to these inspections to meet regulatory requirements and avoid grounding or operational restrictions.
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