EASA AD 2023-0023
Landing Gear — Nose Landing Gear Sliding Tubes — Replacement
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0023 is an airworthiness directive addressing the nose landing gear sliding tubes on Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes. It mandates inspection and replacement of affected nose landing gear sliding tubes with part number 50-2004248-00 due to potential cracks caused by electrical arc burns during coating stripping. This directive applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of the specified Airbus A380 models.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0023 introduces a new requirement for the removal, inspection, and rework or repair of affected nose landing gear sliding tubes before they exceed 10,000 flight cycles. It also allows installation of these parts only if they have passed the specified inspection and repair process. This is a new regulation addressing a previously unmitigated unsafe condition.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because failure to detect and correct the identified defects could lead to nose landing gear collapse, risking aircraft damage and occupant injury. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft airworthiness and safety. Compliance teams need to track affected parts and ensure inspections and repairs are completed within the specified flight cycle limits.
What To Do
Operators must remove affected nose landing gear sliding tubes from service before they exceed 10,000 flight cycles for in-shop inspection and necessary rework or repair following SAFRAN Landing Systems Service Bulletin No. 740-32-041. Installation of affected parts is only permitted if they have passed the required inspection and repair process. Compliance must be achieved by the effective date of 2023-02-09.
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