EASA AD 2026-0135
Fuselage – Rear Fuselage – Inspections
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2026-0135 is an airworthiness directive affecting Airbus A330 aircraft modified under EASA Supplemental Type Certificate 10063798 for passenger to freighter conversion. It mandates inspections and modifications related to the rear fuselage to address potential structural integrity issues caused by differences in fastener sizes between the STC design and Airbus Service Bulletin requirements.
What Changed
This new directive introduces requirements for one-time and repetitive special detailed inspections for certain groups of Airbus A330 aircraft modified with the STC 10063798. It also mandates concurrent modifications for aircraft not having the Airbus Service Bulletin embodied to prevent undetected crack development in the rear fuselage area.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the rear fuselage on converted Airbus A330 freighters, preventing potential rapid depressurization and occupant injury. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure inspections and modifications are performed to avoid unsafe conditions and comply with continuing airworthiness obligations.
What To Do
Operators must perform a one-time inspection within 2,600 flight cycles after embodiment of the Airbus Service Bulletin for applicable aircraft groups and continue repetitive inspections at specified intervals. For aircraft without the Airbus SB embodied, concurrent modification per the EFW modification Service Bulletin must be done starting from the effective date. Any discrepancies found during inspections must be corrected before further flight.
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