EASA AD 2022-0250
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2024-0155
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0250 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes. It addresses missing or incorrect application of lightning strike edge glow sealant protection on wing tanks, which could pose a risk of ignition inside fuel tanks during lightning strikes. The directive mandates inspections and modifications to restore proper lightning strike protection layers on affected aircraft.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0250 supersedes the previous AD 2022-0011 and retains its requirements while introducing new modification requirements using Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P072, P073, or P074. It expands the scope to include additional aircraft groups and requires application of sealant to lower or upper rib feet on wings to ensure two independent layers of lightning strike protection.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential ignition source within fuel tanks caused by missing or incorrect sealant, which could lead to catastrophic fuel tank ignition during lightning strikes. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of Airbus A350 aircraft. Compliance helps prevent safety risks and regulatory non-conformance.
What To Do
Operators of affected Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes must perform detailed inspections of specified wing areas at the next scheduled maintenance tank entry or before 78 months from the aircraft's date of manufacture, whichever occurs first. If discrepancies are found, corrective actions must be taken before the next flight. Additionally, depending on aircraft group, modifications applying sealant to upper or lower rib feet must be completed within the same compliance timeframe.
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