EASA AD 2022-0204R1
[Correction] Landing Gear — Main Landing Gear Sliding Tube — Inspection / Replacement
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0204R1 is a regulatory update addressing inspection and replacement requirements for the main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes on Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft. The directive targets specific MLG sliding tubes and shock absorbers identified by part and serial numbers due to reported cracks caused by manufacturing defects and abnormal overhaul processes. It mandates detailed and special inspections as well as replacement procedures to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.
What Changed
This revision corrects an erroneous reference in the original AD 2022-0204 and refines the definition of affected MLG sliding tube B by excluding certain parts based on newly identified maintenance tasks. It retains previous inspection and replacement requirements while extending inspection applicability to additional batches of sliding tubes and increasing the inspection interval from 5,000 to 10,000 flight cycles.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential unsafe condition that could lead to main landing gear failure, risking aircraft damage and occupant injury. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply with updated inspection intervals and replacement criteria to maintain aircraft safety and regulatory compliance. The AD ensures that affected parts are properly inspected and replaced before failure occurs, reducing operational risks.
What To Do
Operators must perform special detailed inspections within three months after 25 March 2014 for affected MLG sliding tube A and repetitive detailed inspections for affected MLG sliding tube B at intervals not exceeding 10,000 flight cycles. Any detected damage or cracks require immediate replacement with serviceable parts before the next flight. All affected MLG sliding tube B parts must be replaced with serviceable parts within 10 years after 10 July 2018 to terminate repetitive inspections.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.