Fuselage — Forward Lower Deck Cargo Compartment / Fire Extinguishing Bottle Support Brackets and Strut Assembly — Modification / Replacement
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Airbus A330-223F and A330-243F aircraft must replace the support brackets and strut assembly with reinforced parts before exceeding 20,000 flight hours since first flight or within 4,000 flight hours after 10 November 2020, whichever occurs later. The modification must be performed following Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3295 instructions. Alternative methods of compliance may be approved by EASA if properly substantiated.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0234 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A330-223F and A330-243F freighter aircraft with specific manufacturer serial numbers. The directive addresses the forward lower deck cargo compartment fire extinguishing bottle support brackets and strut assembly. It mandates modifications to reinforce these components to ensure continued safe operation.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces a requirement to replace the existing support brackets of the 4005WX fire extinguisher bottle with reinforced brackets and to replace the strut assembly at the affected location on the right-hand underfloor section. The directive is based on findings of fatigue cracks and broken brackets that could compromise fire suppression capability in the cargo compartment.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the integrity of the fire extinguishing system in the forward lower deck cargo compartment of affected Airbus A330 freighter aircraft. Failure to comply could result in insufficient fire suppression capability, posing a safety risk. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure timely modifications to avoid operational restrictions and maintain airworthiness.
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