EASA AD 2024-0155
Wings — RIB 1 corner fitting and Upper / Lower Wing Skin Cover Edge Glow Sealant — Inspection / Modification
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0155 is an airworthiness directive issued for Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes. It addresses inspection and modification requirements related to the RIB 1 corner fitting and upper/lower wing skin cover edge glow sealant to ensure proper lightning strike protection on the wing tanks. This directive applies to specific manufacturer serial numbers as defined by Airbus service bulletins.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0155 supersedes the previous AD 2022-0250 and retains its requirements while adding a one-time detailed inspection of the affected spar corner fittings between RIB 1 and RIB 2. It mandates inspections and corrective actions for missing or incorrect application of lightning strike edge glow sealant, and requires modifications to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection on the wings as per updated Airbus service bulletins.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because improper or missing lightning strike protection on the wing tanks can create an ignition source for fuel vapors, potentially leading to fuel tank ignition in the event of a high-intensity lightning strike. Operators, maintenance, and compliance teams must ensure inspections and modifications are performed to maintain aircraft safety and regulatory compliance, preventing potential catastrophic failures.
What To Do
Operators of affected Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes must perform detailed inspections of specified wing areas at the next scheduled maintenance tank entry or before reaching 78 months since the aircraft's date of manufacture, whichever occurs first. If discrepancies are found, corrective actions must be completed before the next flight. Additionally, applicable modifications involving sealant application must be carried out within the same compliance timeframe to restore proper lightning strike protection.