EASA AD 2018-0154
Fire Protection — Engine Fire Extinguishing Pipes — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0154 is an airworthiness directive addressing Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes. It mandates inspection of engine fire extinguishing pipes in the engine fan case zone and engine core zone to ensure protective caps have been removed. This directive aims to prevent failure of the fire extinguishing system in case of an engine fire.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces a one-time detailed inspection of the engine fire extinguishing pipes on affected Airbus A350 models. It requires removal of any protective caps found installed on these pipes, which were mistakenly left in place during assembly. The directive is based on findings from inspections on the final assembly line and Airbus’s identification of affected serial numbers.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because failure to remove protective caps from fire extinguishing pipes could prevent effective engine fire suppression. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft safety and airworthiness. Non-compliance could lead to reduced control of the aircraft in an engine fire scenario, posing significant safety risks.
What To Do
Operators of Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes must perform a detailed inspection of the engine fire extinguishing pipes within four months of 2 August 2018. If any protective caps are found, they must be removed before the next flight. Compliance with Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A26P004-18 is required to fulfill the inspection and corrective actions.
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