EASA AD 2025-0078
Fuselage — Centre Fuselage Skin and Forward Pressure Bulkhead — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0078 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection requirements for the centre fuselage skin and forward pressure bulkhead on Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes. It applies to specific serial numbers and configurations, focusing on potential fatigue issues in critical fuselage areas. The directive mandates repetitive inspections and corrective actions to ensure structural integrity.
What Changed
This new regulation introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of fastener holes in the forward pressure bulkhead and fuselage skin areas, along with corrective actions if discrepancies or cracks are found. It also defines compliance intervals and acceptable inspection methods, including rototest and High Frequency Eddy Current inspections. The directive excludes certain aircraft configurations that have specific modifications or service bulletins already embodied.
Why It Matters
This directive is crucial for aviation professionals as it addresses a manufacturing deviation that could reduce the fatigue life and structural integrity of affected Airbus aircraft. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent crack initiation and propagation, thereby ensuring continued airworthiness and safety. Compliance teams need to track inspection intervals and manage repairs to avoid operational disruptions.
What To Do
Operators of affected Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes must perform initial inspections before exceeding specified flight hours or cycles and continue with repetitive inspections at defined intervals. If discrepancies or cracks are found, approved repair instructions from Airbus must be followed within specified compliance times. Repairs following a passed rototest inspection may terminate repetitive inspections for that area. Compliance deadlines include initial inspections before 23 April 2025 or earlier based on flight hours or cycles.