EASA AD US-2018-11-14
Wings - Lower Outboard Wing Skin - Inspection / Repair / Modification
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2018-11-14 addresses fatigue cracking in the lower outboard wing skin of certain Boeing 767-300 and 767-300F series airplanes equipped with Aviation Partners Boeing winglets. This directive mandates high frequency eddy current inspections and requires repair or modification as necessary to ensure structural integrity. It also outlines follow-on actions including repetitive inspections or structural modifications to prevent wing and winglet separation.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory inspections using high frequency eddy current techniques for detecting cracks in the lower outboard wing skin of affected Boeing 767-300 and -300F airplanes with winglets. It requires operators to perform repairs or modifications if cracks are found and to comply with one of three follow-on actions involving repeated inspections or structural modifications. The directive also clarifies compliance times and inspection intervals based on repair status and airplane configuration.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk that could lead to wing and winglet separation, potentially reducing airplane controllability. Operators and maintenance organizations must implement the required inspections and repairs to maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance. Understanding the specific compliance timelines and inspection procedures helps ensure continued safe operation and avoids regulatory penalties.
What To Do
Operators of affected Boeing 767-300 and 767-300F airplanes with Aviation Partners Boeing winglets must conduct the required high frequency eddy current inspections of the lower outboard wing skin by July 10, 2018. If cracks are detected, repairs or modifications must be performed promptly. Following initial actions, operators must comply with one of the specified follow-on inspection or modification programs, adhering to the detailed compliance times outlined in the directive and associated service bulletins.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.