EASA AD 2018-0233R1
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2022-0115
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0233R1 is a regulatory update addressing structural integrity concerns in Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes. It mandates inspections and modifications of cargo compartment fitting brackets, tack, and rivet holes to detect and repair fatigue damage. This directive applies to specific serial numbers and configurations of these Airbus models.
What Changed
This revision reduces the applicability of the directive by excluding certain A319 aeroplanes where the initial inspection compliance time exceeds the limit of validity. It also updates inspection intervals and requires additional work for aeroplanes previously modified under earlier service bulletins. The directive supersedes previous ADs and mandates compliance with updated Airbus service bulletins.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of affected Airbus aircraft, preventing potential fatigue-related failures in the cargo compartment area. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must adhere to the inspection and modification requirements to ensure continued airworthiness and regulatory compliance. Failure to comply could lead to unsafe conditions and regulatory penalties.
What To Do
Operators must perform repetitive rototest inspections of specified cargo floor support fittings within defined compliance times and intervals. If cracks are found, approved repair instructions from Airbus must be followed before further flight. Additionally, affected aircraft must be modified before exceeding 48,000 flight cycles or 96,000 flight hours, with specific deadlines for additional work on previously modified aeroplanes.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.