EASA AD 2023-0169
Fire Protection — Engine Fire Extinguishing Pipes — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0169 is an airworthiness directive addressing Airbus A330-841 and A330-941 aeroplanes with specific manufacturer serial numbers. It mandates inspection of the engine fire extinguishing pipe drain holes to ensure protective caps have been removed, preventing potential fire extinguishing failures. This directive applies specifically to certain Airbus A330 models and aims to maintain safe engine fire protection systems.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces a one-time general visual inspection requirement for the engine fire extinguishing pipe drain holes on affected Airbus A330 aircraft. It addresses the discovery of protective caps left in place on these pipes, which could impede fire extinguishing capability. The directive requires removal of any found protective caps before the next flight.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because failure to detect and remove protective caps could lead to water and ice accumulation in the fire extinguishing pipes, potentially preventing effective engine fire suppression. Operators and maintenance teams must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of the affected Airbus A330 aircraft. Non-compliance could result in increased risk during engine fire events.
What To Do
Operators of the affected Airbus A330-841 and A330-941 aircraft must perform a general visual inspection of each engine fire extinguishing pipe drain hole within nine months of 18 September 2023. If any protective caps are found during inspection, they must be removed before the next flight. Compliance must follow the instructions in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-26-3071.
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