EASA AD 2026-0169 — Fuselage – Centre Fuselage – Modification

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2026-0169 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus A330 aircraft modified with the Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH Supplemental Type Certificate 10063798 for Passenger-to-Freighter conversion. The directive addresses a structural issue related to non-conforming fasteners installed on brackets supporting the P2F Bypass Ducts in the centre fuselage. It mandates modification to ensure continued airworthiness and prevent potential fuel leakage and structural integrity risks.

What Changed

This new airworthiness directive requires replacement of non-conforming fasteners on certain brackets installed on the C40 Web Spar of Airbus A330 aircraft modified by EFW STC 10063798. The directive introduces a mandatory modification to replace these fasteners following the instructions in EFW Service Bulletin EFW-SB-53-0086 Revision 04 or earlier approved revisions. It is a new regulation addressing a previously identified unsafe condition without superseding any prior AD.

Why It Matters

This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations because the affected fasteners pose a risk of fatigue failure, which could compromise the structural integrity of the centre fuselage and potentially cause fuel leakage in aircraft with centre tank capability. Compliance ensures the safety and airworthiness of the modified Airbus A330 fleet and helps avoid costly repairs or operational disruptions due to structural or fuel system issues.

What To Do

Operators of Airbus A330 aircraft modified with EFW STC 10063798 must replace the affected fasteners within five months from the effective date of 8 September 2026, following the procedures outlined in EFW Service Bulletin EFW-SB-53-0086 Revision 04 or earlier approved revisions. Aircraft already modified according to earlier revisions of the service bulletin are considered compliant. Alternative methods of compliance may be approved upon request and substantiation.