EASA AD 2024-0032
Fuselage — Centre Fuselage Shims on Frames 47 to 53 — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0032 is an airworthiness directive issued for Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes with specific manufacturer serial numbers. It mandates inspection of the centre fuselage shims on frames 47 to 53 to detect missing or mislocated shims that could affect structural integrity. The directive provides detailed inspection and corrective action procedures to ensure continued airworthiness.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory inspections and corrective actions for the centre fuselage shims on Airbus A380 aeroplanes within the specified serial number range. It addresses assembly deviations where shims were either missing or incorrectly installed, potentially causing structural stress and fatigue. The directive requires visual inspections, non-destructive testing, and repairs as necessary.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it targets a potential structural integrity issue that could lead to fatigue damage in the centre fuselage of affected Airbus A380 aircraft. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent possible safety risks and ensure regulatory compliance. Timely inspections and repairs will help maintain aircraft safety and operational reliability.
What To Do
Operators of affected Airbus A380 aircraft must perform a general visual inspection of the centre fuselage shim areas before exceeding 75,900 flight hours or 10,300 flight cycles since delivery. If shims are missing, detailed inspections and non-destructive testing must be conducted, followed by repairs if cracks are found. All corrective actions must be completed before the next flight after detection, following Airbus Service Bulletin A380-53-8201 instructions.
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