EASA AD 2025-0115
Equipment / Furnishings — Fuselage / Belly Fairing Mounted Emergency Evacuation Escape Slides — Inspection / Replacement
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0115 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection and replacement requirements for fuselage and belly fairing mounted emergency evacuation escape slides installed on Airbus A380-841, A380-842, and A380-861 aeroplanes. The directive targets specific slide parts with part numbers 103004-xxx, 103007-xxx, and 103008-xxx, focusing on those affected by adhesive degradation and seam failures. It mandates inspections, pressure testing, and replacement of affected slides to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0115 supersedes previous directives 2022-0218 and 2024-0099 by expanding replacement requirements to include all Community 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 affected parts, while retaining inspection and testing protocols for Community 2c parts. It introduces new compliance deadlines for replacement and clarifies installation prohibitions for certain affected parts. The directive also references updated Airbus and Collins Aerospace service documents for detailed procedures.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a potential safety risk where emergency evacuation slides may lose air holding capability due to adhesive degradation caused by environmental exposure during long-term parking or storage. Compliance ensures that emergency slides function properly during evacuations, preventing possible injury or fatalities. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must manage inspections, replacements, and part installations carefully to meet regulatory requirements and maintain aircraft safety.
What To Do
Operators must replace Community 1 affected slides within 5 months of 30 May 2025, and Community 2a, 2b, and 3 affected slides within specified deadlines ranging from immediate replacement before next flight (Community 3) to up to 31 months. Repetitive proof pressure and air retention tests are required every 36 months for Community 2a, 2b, and 2c parts. Installation of Community 1 and 3 affected parts is prohibited from the effective date, while Community 2 parts may be installed if serviceable and inspected accordingly.