Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD 2018-0161

Fuselage — Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Support Struts — Inspection

Published: Jul 25, 2018
Effective: Aug 8, 2018
Deadline: Aug 8, 2018
Replaces: 2014-0164R1

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What to do

Operators of affected Airbus A300, A300-600, and A310 aeroplanes must perform High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspections of the THS support strut ends within specified compliance times based on aircraft serial numbers, and thereafter every 48 months. Reinforcing clamps must be installed or removed as required during inspections. If cracks are found, corrective actions including strut replacement or clamp installation must be completed before further flight. For certain A300-600R models, modification per Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6188 provides a terminating action for repetitive inspections. Inspection results must be reported to Airbus within 30 days after the initial inspection.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0161 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection requirements for the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) support struts on Airbus A300, A300-600, and A310 aeroplanes. It applies to all certified models and serial numbers of these aircraft and focuses on detecting cracks caused by stress corrosion in the aluminium THS support struts. The directive mandates repetitive inspections and corrective actions to ensure continued airworthiness and prevent potential structural failure of the horizontal tailplane.

What changed

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0161 supersedes AD 2014-0164R1 and extends the inspection interval for the THS support struts from 24 months to 48 months. It also introduces a terminating action for certain A300-600R series aeroplanes through modification, while retaining the requirement for repetitive inspections for other affected aircraft. The directive clarifies inspection applicability and updates compliance requirements based on new analyses.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving potential cracking and rupture of THS support struts, which could lead to loss of the horizontal tailplane. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent structural failure and ensure aircraft safety. The extended inspection intervals and defined terminating actions help optimize maintenance planning and reduce operational disruptions while maintaining safety standards.

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