EASA AD 2022-0004
Fuselage — Aft Flight Compartment Window Rear Lower Corner and Fuselage Skin — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0004 is an airworthiness directive affecting Airbus A300 B2-203, B2K-3C, B4-203, B4-2C, C4-203, and F4-203 aeroplanes. It mandates inspections of the aft flight compartment window rear lower corner and adjacent fuselage skin to detect cracks that could compromise structural integrity. The directive requires specific ultrasonic and detailed visual inspections following Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0278 Revision 03.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0004 supersedes paragraph 1.8 of DGAC France AD 1990-222-116(B) R5 and updates inspection thresholds, intervals, and methods based on the latest revision of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0278. It removes the repair option by external doubler and introduces a one-time check for previous repairs along with repetitive inspections for unrepaired aeroplanes.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of affected Airbus A300 aircraft by ensuring early detection and correction of cracks in a key fuselage area. Compliance helps operators and maintenance organizations prevent potential safety risks and avoid regulatory non-compliance. It also clarifies inspection requirements and eliminates outdated repair methods, streamlining maintenance procedures.
What To Do
Operators must perform a one-time check for prior repairs on the aft flight compartment window frame and adjacent fuselage panel within specified flight cycle or time limits. If no repairs are found, ultrasonic and detailed visual inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 1,600 flight cycles. Any detected cracks or repairs require contacting Airbus for approved corrective instructions before further flight. The effective compliance date is 25 January 2022.
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