EASA AD 2020-0220
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2022-0011
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0220 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes. It addresses a potential safety issue related to missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant on wing tank stringer edges. The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions to ensure continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0220 introduces a one-time detailed inspection requirement of the upper and lower wing skin cover edge glow sealant on Airbus A350 wings. It requires operators to inspect specific stringer edges for missing or incorrect sealant application and to perform corrective actions if discrepancies are found. This AD is a new regulation responding to production line issues identified by Airbus.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because improper sealant application could create an ignition source inside fuel tanks during a lightning strike, potentially leading to fuel tank ignition and loss of the aircraft. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure inspections and repairs are performed to mitigate this serious safety risk. Compliance with this AD ensures regulatory adherence and enhances flight safety.
What To Do
Operators of Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aircraft must perform a detailed inspection of the affected wing areas at the next scheduled maintenance tank entry or before the aircraft reaches six years from its date of manufacture, whichever occurs first. If any discrepancies are found during inspection, corrective actions must be completed before the next flight. The inspection must follow Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P067 instructions.
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