Nacelles / Pylons — Lower Aft Pylon Fairing Drain Pipe and U-Shapes — Inspection / Modification
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform a one-time special detailed inspection of the lower aft pylon fairing drain pipes within 26 months from 20 September 2018. If damage is found, corrective actions including replacement and rework must be carried out according to the specified Airbus Service Bulletins. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to continue operating the affected aircraft.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0198 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-301, A330-302, and A330-303 aeroplanes. It addresses inspection and modification requirements for the lower aft pylon fairing drain pipe and U-shapes to prevent hydraulic fluid leakage and potential fire hazards. The directive applies to aircraft not modified by Airbus modification 207430 or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-54-3041.
What changed
This new regulation introduces a one-time special detailed inspection of the lower aft pylon fairing drain pipes using a borescope method. Depending on inspection findings, it requires replacement of damaged drain pipes and clamp blocks, as well as rework of the U-shape ribs to eliminate chafing and interference issues. It also mandates compliance with Airbus Service Bulletins A330-54-3041 and A330-54-3042.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk involving hydraulic fluid leakage that could lead to an uncontrolled fire in the pylon compartment. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft airworthiness and prevent potential in-flight hazards. The directive also provides clear inspection and corrective action procedures to mitigate this risk effectively.
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