EASA AD 2020-0165
Landing Gear — Nose Landing Gear Main Fitting — Replacement [Reduced Life Limit]
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0165 is an airworthiness directive addressing the nose landing gear main fitting (part number 50-3751048-00) on Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes. It applies to specific serial numbers of the affected parts and mandates replacement or life limit reductions due to potential sub-surface cavities caused by improper oil removal during production. The directive affects all manufacturer serial numbers of the listed Airbus models.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces a reduced life limit for certain nose landing gear main fittings due to potential fatigue performance issues. It requires operators to replace affected parts before exceeding specified flight cycle limits and restricts installation of affected parts on certain aircraft groups. Additionally, it mandates contacting Airbus for instructions on affected A318 aeroplanes within three months of the effective date.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to ensure continued airworthiness and safety by preventing possible structural failures of the nose landing gear main fitting. Operators and maintenance organizations must track affected parts and comply with replacement schedules to avoid unsafe conditions. Compliance teams need to update maintenance programs to reflect the reduced life limits and installation restrictions to maintain regulatory compliance.
What To Do
Operators of Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes with affected parts must replace these parts before reaching the specified flight cycle limits: 10,200 FC for A319, 12,200 FC for A320, and 5,500 FC for A321. Airbus A318 operators must contact Airbus within three months of 2020-08-06 for instructions and comply accordingly. Installation of affected parts is restricted based on aircraft group classification, and only serviceable parts may be installed following the directive's conditions.
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