EASA AD 2018-0218
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2021-0228
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0218 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes. It mandates repetitive internal and external inspections of the center and outer wing box at the Rib 1 junction due to non-compliant taperlok fasteners that could compromise structural integrity. The directive includes detailed inspection thresholds and intervals to ensure continued airworthiness.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0218 supersedes the previous AD 2007-0067R1, expanding the applicability to more aircraft and revising inspection areas and intervals. It updates Airbus Service Bulletins A320-57-1129 and A320-57-1130 to their latest revisions, reflecting new findings on aging effects and inspection requirements. The AD also corrects typographical errors from the previous version.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential structural integrity issue that could affect flight safety. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply with the updated inspection schedules to detect and correct damage early. Compliance ensures regulatory adherence and prevents possible in-service failures related to wing-to-fuselage junction fasteners.
What To Do
Affected operators must perform repetitive internal and external special detailed inspections of the wing box at Rib 1 junction according to the specified Airbus Service Bulletins and within the compliance times defined in the AD. If damage is found, approved repair instructions from Airbus must be followed before further flight. Modification of the wing box per specified Airbus Service Bulletins can terminate the inspection requirements. The effective date for compliance is 2018-10-25.
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