Electrical Power – Ram Air Turbine Gearbox – Inspection
Superseded. Comply with 2021-0254, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2020-0009
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform detailed inspections of the RAT gearbox oil within specified compliance times based on the aircraft's manufacture date and continue inspections every six months or 4,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first. If water ingress exceeds limits or contaminants are found, corrective actions including a manual torque check must be completed before the next flight. Inspection results must be reported to Airbus within 10 days if findings are present or within 30 days if no findings are detected.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0183 is an airworthiness directive issued for all Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes. It addresses the inspection and maintenance of Ram Air Turbine (RAT) gearboxes, specifically those with part numbers 1704287G or 1704287H, to detect water ingress and corrosion that could impair RAT operation. The directive mandates repetitive detailed inspections of gearbox oil and corrective actions as necessary to ensure continued safe operation.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0183 supersedes AD 2020-0009 and retains its inspection requirements while adding a manual torque check test as part of the corrective actions. This addition aims to detect corrosion on RAT forward bearings when water contamination history exists. The directive updates the inspection procedures by requiring compliance with Airbus Service Bulletin A380-24-8158 Revision 01.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because undetected water ingress and corrosion in the RAT gearbox can lead to RAT failure, potentially causing loss of electrical generation and reduced aircraft control during emergencies. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to prevent in-flight RAT malfunctions, thereby maintaining aircraft safety and regulatory compliance.
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