EASA AD 2018-0151
Flight Controls — Outboard Flap Drive Station Elements and Sensor Strut — Inspection / Replacement
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0151 is an airworthiness directive applicable to Airbus A330 and A340 aeroplanes. It addresses inspection and replacement requirements for the outboard flap drive station elements and sensor struts to ensure continued safe operation of the flap systems on these aircraft models.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of the left and right hand track station 4 and 5 drive station elements and sensor struts. It requires detailed and visual inspections followed by corrective actions if discrepancies are found, to prevent potential flap disconnection failures.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it mitigates the risk of complete flap disconnection, which could lead to loss of aircraft control. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to maintain aircraft airworthiness and ensure flight safety by detecting and correcting potential mechanical failures in the flap drive system.
What To Do
Operators must perform detailed and visual inspections within specified compliance times based on flight cycles or calendar months, and continue inspections at defined intervals. Any detected discrepancies require immediate replacement or approved repair of affected parts before further flight. Inspection results must be reported to Airbus within 30 days.
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