Wings – Front and Rear Spars – Inspection
Superseded. Comply with 2023-0098R1, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2022-0174R1
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 aircraft must perform special detailed inspections of the specified wing spar areas within the compliance times defined in the directive, with initial inspections required before exceeding 138 months since wing box assembly for the outer rear spar or within 3 months after the AD effective date, whichever is later. Inspections must be repeated every 36 months thereafter, and any detected cracks must be repaired following Airbus-approved instructions before the next flight. Inspection results must be reported to Airbus within 30 days.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0262 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aircraft. It mandates inspections of specific wing spars, including the outer rear spar, outer inner front spar, and outer front spar, to detect cracks that could compromise wing structural integrity. This directive updates previous inspection requirements and applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of the Airbus A380.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0262 supersedes the previous AD 2022-0174R1 and further reduces the inspection threshold for the outer rear spar from 12.5 years to 11.5 years since the wing box assembly date. It expands the inspection applicability to all Airbus A380 aircraft and amends compliance times for initial inspections. The directive retains prior inspection requirements but updates compliance intervals and reporting obligations.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential unsafe condition involving cracks in key wing spars of the Airbus A380, which could reduce structural integrity if undetected. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of affected aircraft. The updated inspection intervals and expanded applicability require adjustments in maintenance planning and record-keeping to meet regulatory standards.
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