Wings – Front and Rear Spars – Inspection
Superseded. Comply with 2023-0098R1, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Replaces
- 2022-0019
- Replaces
- 2022-0174
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 must perform special detailed ultrasonic inspections of the specified wing spar areas within the compliance times defined, specifically before exceeding 150 months since wing box assembly for the outer rear spar and 180 months for the other spars. Inspections must be repeated every 36 months thereafter, and any detected cracks must be repaired following Airbus-approved instructions before further flight. Inspection results must be reported to Airbus within 30 days.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0174R1 is an updated safety directive addressing inspection requirements for Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes. It mandates ultrasonic inspections of specific wing spar areas, including the outer rear spar, outer inner front spar, and outer front spar, to detect cracks that could compromise wing structural integrity. This directive applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of the Airbus A380 and provides detailed inspection and reporting instructions.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0174R1 revises the previous AD 2022-0174 by reducing the inspection threshold for the outer rear spar from 15 years to 12.5 years since wing box assembly. It also provides credit for inspections performed using Airbus approved technical adaptations and retains all previous inspection and reporting requirements. This revision ensures earlier detection of potential cracks to enhance safety.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential structural safety risk in Airbus A380 wings that could affect flight safety. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply with the updated inspection intervals to prevent structural failure. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and regulatory adherence, avoiding operational disruptions and potential safety incidents.
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