EASA AD 2022-0151
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2024-0068
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0151 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes. It mandates inspections of the horizontal upper stiffeners of the lateral cockpit window frame at fuselage frame 4 to detect cracks that could compromise fuselage structural integrity. The directive applies to specific Airbus models and serial numbers, excluding certain configurations with specific Airbus modifications.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0151 supersedes the previous AD 2019-0067R1 and updates inspection thresholds and intervals for the affected parts. It removes credit for certain production modifications previously considered beneficial and increases inspection intervals based on new calculations. The directive retains the requirement for special detailed inspections using high frequency eddy current methods and updates compliance times accordingly.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the fuselage in affected Airbus aircraft by ensuring early detection and correction of cracks in the lateral cockpit window frame stiffeners. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must adhere to the updated inspection schedules to prevent potential safety risks. Failure to comply could result in unsafe conditions that compromise aircraft airworthiness and safety.
What To Do
Operators must perform special detailed inspections of the affected parts within the compliance times specified in the directive and continue with repetitive inspections at defined intervals. If discrepancies are found, corrective actions must be taken before the next flight. Inspection results must be reported to Airbus within 90 days, and inspections accomplished before the effective date per previous approved instructions are credited. The effective date for compliance is 9 August 2022.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.