EASA AD 2019-0138R1
[Correction] Stabilizers — Elevators — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0138R1 is a regulatory update addressing inspection requirements for the stabilizers and elevators on Airbus A330 and A340 aeroplanes. It mandates detailed inspections of specific left hand and right hand elevator parts to detect and correct disbonding caused by water ingress, which could compromise structural integrity and flight control. This directive applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of the affected Airbus A330 and A340 models.
What Changed
This revision corrects the inspection interval for the repetitive detailed inspections to align with the interval previously defined in EASA AD 2009-0255. It also re-publishes the directive to correct the issue date and retains the requirements of the original AD while adding Airbus A330 freighter aeroplanes to the applicability. The revision clarifies inspection methods for elevators post-modification 56519.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft by preventing elevator structural failures due to undetected disbonding. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid potential control issues that could lead to accidents. Compliance ensures regulatory adherence and maintains operational safety standards.
What To Do
Operators must perform a detailed inspection of the affected elevator parts within specified compliance times, not exceeding 72 months between inspections. Any discrepancies found must be repaired before further flight according to Airbus Structural Repair Manual instructions. Inspection results must be reported to Airbus within three months after each inspection. Installation of affected parts requires inspection before and after installation as per the directive.
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