Nacelles / Pylons — Inboard Pylon Box Dog Head Fitting Holes — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform the initial special detailed inspection including rototest of the affected holes before exceeding the specified flight cycles since the aircraft's date of manufacture, and repeat inspections at intervals defined in the directive. Any cracks or damage found must be repaired before the next flight following the instructions in the applicable Airbus Service Bulletin. There is no terminating action, so inspections must continue throughout the aircraft's operational life.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0007 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or Engine Alliance GP7200 engines. The directive mandates inspections of the inboard pylon box Dog Head fitting fastener holes to detect cracks that could compromise structural integrity. It applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of these aircraft models.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces repetitive special detailed inspections of the affected Dog Head fitting holes in the inboard pylon boxes of Airbus A380 aircraft. It requires operators to perform inspections within specified flight cycle thresholds and to carry out corrective actions if cracks are found. No previous directives are superseded by this AD.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural safety of Airbus A380 aircraft by preventing potential in-flight detachment of the Dog Head fitting and adjacent structures. For operators and maintenance organizations, compliance ensures continued airworthiness and reduces the risk of damage and loss of control. It also provides clear inspection intervals and corrective procedures to manage fatigue-related cracking.
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