EASA AD 2025-0247R1
Fuselage — Forward and Aft Cargo Door Piano Hinges — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0247R1 is an updated regulatory requirement for Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes concerning the inspection of forward and aft cargo door piano hinges. This directive mandates repetitive inspections of specific piano hinges and related structures to detect cracks, damage, or sheared fasteners that could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft fuselage. The directive applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of the affected Airbus A350 models.
What Changed
This revision of EASA AD 2025-0247 allows inspections of the forward and aft cargo door piano hinges to be conducted during different maintenance visits, providing operators with greater flexibility. It expands the applicability to all Airbus A350 aeroplanes and requires repetitive inspections instead of one-time checks. The update also incorporates findings related to sheared fasteners and clarifies compliance times based on previous maintenance tasks and service bulletins.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of Airbus A350 aircraft by preventing undetected cracking or damage in cargo door hinges that could lead to unsafe conditions. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid potential damage caused by fatigue cycles during door operation. The flexibility in inspection scheduling helps optimize maintenance planning and reduces operational disruptions while ensuring safety.
What To Do
Operators must perform detailed inspections of the forward and aft cargo door piano hinges within specified compliance times, then repeat these inspections every 1,700 flight cycles. If cracks, damage, or sheared fasteners are found, corrective actions must be taken before further flight, including contacting Airbus for approved repair instructions. Compliance deadlines depend on flight cycles since last inspections, embodiment of specific service bulletins, or time elapsed since the original AD effective date of 19 November 2025.