Wings — Centre Wing Box Fasteners — Replacement
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2020-0123
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Airbus A350-941 aeroplanes must replace all specified centre wing box fasteners before the aeroplane reaches six years from its date of manufacture. If replacements were done previously using earlier revisions of the Airbus Service Bulletin, additional work must be completed before six years from that replacement. Compliance can be achieved by following the instructions in Airbus SB A350-57-P036 Revision 3 or approved alternative methods. The effective compliance date is 13 April 2023.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0068 is an airworthiness directive affecting Airbus A350-941 aeroplanes, except those with Airbus modification 109799 embodied in production. It addresses the replacement of centre wing box fasteners that may rotate inside their holes, potentially causing fuel vapour leakage into the cabin. The directive mandates replacement of affected fasteners with improved friction material fasteners and additional work to ensure proper fuel vapour barrier paint application.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0068 supersedes AD 2020-0123 and retains its replacement requirements while introducing additional work specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P036 Revision 3. This additional work ensures correct application of the fuel vapour barrier structure paint on the outside of the centre wing box. The directive also accepts previous compliance methods and provides credit for earlier replacements and repairs.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk where fasteners in the centre wing box may loosen, leading to fuel vapour leakage and potential injury to occupants. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft airworthiness and prevent hazardous conditions. Compliance also ensures adherence to European Union aviation safety regulations and avoids operational restrictions.
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