EASA AD 2021-0145: Wings — Wing Tip Assembly — Modification

What to do

Affected operators must modify the wing tip assemblies according to the applicable Airbus Service Bulletins within the specified compliance times. For aircraft that have already embodied interim Service Bulletins A380-57-8145 or A380-57-8146, the modification must be completed within seven years of those embodiments. For aircraft without these interim modifications, the wing tips must be modified before the aircraft reaches seven years from its date of manufacture.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0145 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes. It addresses a potential structural integrity issue in the wing tip assemblies caused by parts made from 7449 aluminium alloy. The directive mandates modification of the wing tip assemblies to a new design using 7010 aluminium alloy to prevent cracking.

What changed

This new regulation introduces a mandatory modification of the wing tip assemblies on affected Airbus A380 aircraft, replacing parts made from 7449 aluminium alloy with a new wing tip assembly made from 7010 aluminium alloy. The directive requires compliance with Airbus Service Bulletins A380-57-8132 and A380-57-8133, which provide detailed modification instructions for both left-hand and right-hand wing tips.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the Airbus A380 wing tips, preventing crack initiation and propagation that could compromise flight safety. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure timely modification to avoid operating aircraft with potentially unsafe wing tip assemblies. Compliance with this AD ensures continued airworthiness and regulatory conformity under EASA regulations.

What to do

Summary

What changed

Why it matters

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