Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD 2023-0196

Electrical Power — Nickel-Cadmium Rechargeable Batteries — Replacement

Published: Nov 10, 2023
Effective: Nov 24, 2023
Deadline: Nov 24, 2023
Replaces: 2020-0274

Airbus A300 600 600ST (Beluga)

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators must replace all affected Nickel-Cadmium batteries with serviceable parts before releasing aircraft to service following any storage or parking period, adhering to the specified time limits for battery storage. Maintenance teams should follow approved Airbus maintenance instructions for battery replacement. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory from the effective date of 24 November 2023.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0196 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency addressing the replacement of Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable batteries on various Airbus aircraft models including the A318, A319, A320, A321, A300, A310, A330, A340, A350, and A380. The directive mandates the replacement of affected Ni-Cd batteries with serviceable parts to ensure continued airworthiness and electrical power reliability. It applies to specific battery part numbers and sets time limits for on-wing battery storage to prevent capacity degradation.

What changed

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0196 supersedes the previous AD 2020-0274, extending the applicability to additional Airbus aircraft models and updating the requirements for battery replacement. It removes the previously recommended on-wing preservation procedures and requires replacement of affected batteries with serviceable parts before releasing aircraft to service after storage or parking. The directive also clarifies the definition of serviceable parts and sets explicit time limits for battery storage on wing.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses the risk of reduced battery capacity due to repetitive disconnection and reconnection during aircraft parking or storage, which could compromise essential electrical power during abnormal or emergency conditions. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to maintain aircraft safety and regulatory compliance. Failure to replace affected batteries could lead to operational disruptions and safety hazards.

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