Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD 2019-0170R1

Fuselage — Belly Fairing Panel Support Structure — Inspection

Published: May 15, 2020
Effective: May 22, 2020
Deadline: Jul 31, 2019
Replaces: 2019-0170

Airbus A380

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What to do

Affected operators must perform detailed inspections of the forward belly fairing structure within the specified compliance times—whichever is later between 24 months after first flight or 6 months after 31 July 2019—and repeat inspections every 24 months thereafter. If corrosion is found, repairs must be made according to the approved Structural Repair Manual or by replacing affected parts as instructed. Incorporating the applicable Airbus modification service bulletins will terminate the need for repetitive inspections. Use of outdated SRM repair tasks is prohibited from 31 July 2019 onward.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0170R1 is an updated regulatory requirement addressing inspection and repair of the forward belly fairing panel support structure on Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aircraft. It mandates repetitive detailed inspections for corrosion on specific structural profiles and introduces optional modification instructions to prevent corrosion. This directive applies to all serial numbers except those with Airbus modifications 75498 or 77715 incorporated during production.

What changed

This revision of EASA AD 2019-0170 introduces the applicable Airbus service bulletins for in-service modification as an optional terminating action for the repetitive detailed inspections. It also updates repair instructions by referencing the latest approved Structural Repair Manual revisions and clarifies that affected SRM repair tasks are no longer valid. The amendment provides more comprehensive corrective action options and incorporates new modification procedures to address the corrosion issue.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of Airbus A380 aircraft by preventing corrosion-related damage in the forward belly fairing support structure. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid unsafe conditions that could compromise aircraft safety. The updated AD ensures that inspections and repairs meet current standards and that corrosion issues are effectively mitigated through approved modifications.

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