Fuselage — Centre Fuselage — Keel Beam Bottom Panel — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform the initial special detailed inspection before exceeding specified flight cycle or hour thresholds depending on aircraft group and configuration, then continue inspections at defined intervals. If cracks or discrepancies are found, approved repair instructions from Airbus must be followed before further flight. Compliance with these inspections and corrective actions is mandatory starting from 24 July 2024.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0135 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes. It mandates inspections of the keel beam bottom panel in the centre fuselage due to detected cracks during fatigue testing. The directive applies to specific aircraft configurations and serial numbers, excluding those with certain Airbus modifications or service bulletins already embodied.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive special detailed inspections of the keel beam bottom panel area to detect cracks. It specifies inspection thresholds and intervals based on aircraft groupings and flight cycles or hours. Additionally, it requires corrective actions if discrepancies are found and clarifies that repairs do not terminate the inspection requirements unless stated otherwise.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of affected Airbus aircraft by preventing crack propagation in a key fuselage component. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure timely inspections and repairs to avoid potential safety risks and regulatory non-compliance. Adhering to these requirements helps sustain airworthiness and operational safety standards.
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