EASA AD US-2024-11-01
Electrical Power - Nickel-Cadmium Batteries during Aeroplane Parking or Storage - Replacement
Summary
The Electrical Power - Nickel-Cadmium Batteries during Aeroplane Parking or Storage - Replacement is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD 2024-11-01) that applies to various Airbus SAS airplane models including A300, A310, A318, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, A350, and A380 series equipped with certain parts manufacturer approval (PMA) nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. This AD addresses the issue of reduced battery endurance performance during airplane parking or storage periods. It mandates replacement of affected PMA Ni-Cd batteries with serviceable parts to ensure electrical power reliability during abnormal or emergency conditions.
What Changed
This AD supersedes AD 2021-21-02 and expands the applicability to include additional Airbus models such as the A300 series, A310 series, and A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. It removes the previous on-wing preservation procedures and requires replacement of affected PMA Ni-Cd batteries with serviceable parts before the airplane is released to service after storage or parking. The AD also updates references to related ADs concerning non-PMA Ni-Cd batteries.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it ensures the reliability of essential electrical power sources during abnormal or emergency situations, which is vital for flight safety. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent battery capacity degradation that could lead to power failures. Compliance helps maintain airworthiness and avoids potential operational disruptions or safety risks associated with battery failures.
What To Do
Affected operators must identify airplanes equipped with the specified PMA Ni-Cd batteries and replace any affected batteries with serviceable parts before returning the aircraft to service following any storage or parking period. Operators should follow the clarified guidance on what constitutes parking or storage, including extended maintenance or repair downtimes. The compliance deadline for these actions is July 3, 2024.