[Correction] Landing Gear — Main Landing Gear Sliding Tubes — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2020-0258
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft with affected main landing gear sliding tubes must perform initial and repetitive general visual inspections within specified flight cycle intervals, replacing any cracked parts before further flight. Compliance deadlines vary by group, with initial inspections required within 500 flight cycles after specific effective dates. Overhaul or replacement of affected parts after specified dates terminates inspection requirements. Installation of affected parts is restricted and must be accompanied by recent inspection evidence.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0175 is a corrective AD addressing inspection requirements for main landing gear sliding tubes on Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft. It mandates repetitive general visual inspections of affected landing gear sliding tubes identified in three batches, with specific part and serial numbers, to detect cracks caused by improper magnetic particle inspections during overhaul. The AD applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of the specified Airbus models and includes instructions for corrective actions and terminating actions.
What changed
EASA AD 2021-0175 supersedes the previous AD 2020-0258 and introduces additional affected parts (batch 3) that may have been subject to improper overhaul inspections. It corrects an error in the Group 1 definition and retains inspection requirements for batches 1 and 2 while adding new inspection and replacement requirements for batch 3 parts. The AD also clarifies installation rules for affected parts and provides updated compliance times.
Why it matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk of main landing gear sliding tube fractures that could lead to landing gear collapse, aircraft damage, and injury. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance with inspection intervals and replacement requirements to maintain airworthiness. The directive impacts maintenance planning, parts management, and operational safety for affected Airbus A320 family aircraft.
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