Wings – Lower Skin Covers at Rib Bays – Inspection
Superseded. Comply with 2020-0172, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Replaces
- 2019-0114
- Replaces
- 2019-0297
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform a detailed visual inspection and ultrasonic inspection of the affected wing lower skin areas within 12 months after 7 June 2019 or before exceeding 3,200 flight cycles or 19,600 flight hours since the aircraft's date of manufacture, whichever occurs later. Any detected cracks must be repaired before the next flight following Airbus-approved instructions. Inspection results must be reported to Airbus within 30 days after inspection completion.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0297R1 is an updated directive addressing inspection requirements for Airbus A340-541, A340-542, A340-642, and A340-643 aeroplanes. It mandates inspections of the wing lower skin covers at specific rib bays to detect cracks that could compromise wing structural integrity. The directive applies to all manufacturer serial numbers except for MSN 601, 604, 672, and 744.
What changed
This revision excludes aeroplane MSN 601 from the applicability and expands the inspection area to include rib bays 5-6, 7-8, and 10-11 using ultrasonic inspection methods instead of high frequency eddy current inspection. It also updates the compliance requirements and retains the one-time detailed visual and ultrasonic inspections as specified in the Airbus All Operators Telex A57L014-19 Revision 01.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to prevent potential structural failures due to cracks in the wing lower skin covers, which have previously led to fuel leaks. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft airworthiness and safety. Failure to detect and repair cracks could reduce wing strength and compromise flight safety.
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