EASA AD 2024-0099
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2025-0115
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0099 is an airworthiness directive issued for Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes. It addresses issues with fuselage and belly fairing mounted emergency evacuation escape slides, specifically those with certain part numbers and serial numbers that have shown seam failures during proof pressure testing after overhaul. The directive mandates replacement and inspection requirements to ensure the continued airworthiness of these emergency slides.
What Changed
This directive introduces new requirements for replacing certain affected emergency slides identified as 'Community 1' parts and mandates repetitive inspections and reduced overhaul intervals for 'Community 2' affected parts. It also prohibits the installation of 'Community 1' affected parts and allows installation of 'Community 2' parts only if they are serviceable and inspected accordingly. These measures follow findings that previous repairs were ineffective in preventing seam failures.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk that could prevent timely evacuation in emergencies due to slide seam failures. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid potential injury or fatalities and to maintain regulatory compliance. The directive also impacts maintenance planning by introducing repetitive inspections and replacement schedules for affected parts.
What To Do
Operators must replace all 'Community 1' affected emergency slides within the compliance times specified in Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A25R031-24, effective from 20 May 2024. For 'Community 2' affected parts, operators must perform proof pressure and air retention tests within 4 months after the effective date or within 36 months since last overhaul, whichever is later, and repeat these inspections every 36 months. Installation of 'Community 1' affected parts is prohibited from the effective date, while 'Community 2' parts may be installed only if serviceable and inspected as required.