EASA AD 2020-0274
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2023-0196
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0274 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting various Airbus aircraft models including the A318, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, and A380 series. The directive addresses the replacement and maintenance of Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable batteries installed on these aircraft to prevent reduced battery capacity and ensure electrical power reliability during abnormal or emergency conditions.
What Changed
This directive introduces mandatory replacement of certain affected Nickel-Cadmium batteries with serviceable parts within specified compliance times based on aircraft type. It also provides alternative battery preservation procedures as an option to replacement, aiming to maintain battery capacity and prevent degradation caused by repeated disconnection and reconnection cycles during aircraft parking or storage.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it ensures the continued reliability of essential electrical power systems on affected Airbus aircraft. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid potential battery failures that could compromise safety during abnormal or emergency situations. Compliance helps maintain airworthiness and prevents operational disruptions due to battery capacity loss.
What To Do
Operators of affected Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft must replace affected batteries within 4 months of the directive's effective date, while operators of A330, A340, and A380 aircraft have 6 months to comply. Alternatively, for aircraft with fewer reconnection cycles, operators may follow the specified battery preservation procedures detailed in the applicable Airbus Alert Operators Transmission documents to avoid replacement. Ongoing adherence to these procedures is required to maintain battery serviceability.
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