EASA AD 2022-0001
Wings — Inner Rear Spar Trailing Edge — Modification
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0001 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes. It mandates modifications to the wing inner rear spar trailing edge to address fuel leakage issues. The directive applies to all serial numbers except those with Airbus modifications 78726 and 78091 already incorporated in production.
What Changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2019-0038 and retains its requirements while introducing additional modifications. It requires installation of five seal plates to close lower stringer mouse holes and two additional drain holes to prevent fuel accumulation and leakage near the wing trailing edge. These changes enhance the original modification which only added drainage holes but did not fully prevent fluid tracking.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a fuel leak condition that could lead to fuel dripping on hot wing landing gear parts, potentially causing fire and loss of the aircraft. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft safety and airworthiness. Failure to comply could result in unsafe operating conditions and regulatory non-compliance.
What To Do
Operators must modify the wing inner rear spar trailing edge on both right-hand and left-hand sides by following Airbus Service Bulletins A380-57-8231 and A380-57-8274. The initial modification required by the previous AD had to be completed within 18 months after 5 March 2019, and the additional modifications mandated by this AD must be completed within 12 months after 21 January 2022.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.