EASA AD No.: 2015-0026

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2015-0026

Date: 19 February 2015

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with 

Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of 

the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with EU 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EU 

1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

AIRBUS

Type/Model designation(s):

A319 and A320 aeroplanes

TCDS Number: EASA.A.064

Foreign AD: Note applicable

Supersedure: This AD supersedes EASA AD 2014-0270R1 dated 15 December 2014.

ATA 57 Wings – Wing Bottom Skin at Main Landing Gear Rib 5 – Inspection

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus A319-115, A319-132, A319-133, A320-214, A320-216, A320-232 and

A320-233 aeroplanes, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 5817, 5826, 5837, 

5848, 5855, 5864, 5875, 5886, 5896 and 5910, and MSN 5918 and up.

Reason: During production of wings, a number of taperlok fasteners were found failed 

after installation. The fasteners in question are located at the bottom skin of the 

Main Landing Gear (MLG) reinforcing plate, wing skin and Gear Support Rib 5 

lower flange. Based on the results of the preliminary investigation, this affects 

only certain A319 and A320 aeroplanes delivered since January 2014.

This condition, if not detected and corrected could reduce the design safety 

margin of the structure.

Prompted by these findings, EASA issued Emergency AD 2014-0270-E (later 

revised) to require repetitive detailed inspections (DET) of the bottom skin 

taperlok fasteners at the MLG Rib 5 footprint location and, depending on 

findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

Since EASA AD 2014-0270R1 was issued, based on in service feedback and 

further investigation, Airbus issued Revision 01 of Alert Operators Transmission 

(AOT) A57N006-14 to extend the original 8 calendar days inspection interval to 

60 calendar days for the external area and for the internal inboard side. In 

addition, it was identified that the model A319-132 was missing from the AD 

applicability.

For the reasons described above, this AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 
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2014-0270R1, which is superseded, to amend the Applicability and to require

those actions within the new thresholds and intervals.

This AD is still considered to be an interim action and further AD action may 

follow.

Effective Date: 26 February 2015

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 60 calendar days after 15 December 2014 [the effective date of 

EASA AD 2014-0270-E], or 60 calendar days after the aeroplane date of 

manufacture (see Note 1), or before next flight (see Note 2), whichever 

occurs later, and, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 60 calendar days or 

before each flight (see Note 2), whichever occurs later, accomplish the 

actions specified in paragraphs (1.1) and (1.2) of this AD in accordance 

with the instructions of Airbus AOT A57N006-14.

(1.1) Accomplish a DET of the external surface of the Left Hand (LH) and 

Right Hand (RH) lower skin surface to detect missing or migrating 

fasteners.

(1.2) Accomplish a DET of the inboard MLG support rib lower flange to 

detect broken fastener tails/nuts.

Note 1: For the purpose of this AD, the date of manufacture is the date of 

transfer of title, which is referenced in Airbus documentation at the time of first 

delivery to an operator.

Note 2: In case an aeroplane is not operated for more than 60 days, the next 

inspection is to be performed on that aeroplane before next flight.

(2) Within 4 months after 15 December 2014 [the effective date of EASA AD

2014-0270-E], or after the aeroplane date of manufacture (see Note 1), or 

before next flight (see Note 3) whichever occurs later, and, thereafter, at 

intervals not to exceed 120 calendar days or before each flight (see Note 

3), whichever occurs later, accomplish a DET of the outboard MLG support 

rib lower flange fasteners and nuts in accordance with the instructions of 

Airbus AOT A57N006-14.

Note 3: In case an aeroplane is not operated for more than 4 months (120 

calendar days), the next inspection is to be performed on that aeroplane before 

next flight.

(3) If, during any DET as required by paragraph (1) or (2) of this AD, as 

applicable, any discrepancy (missing, migrated or damaged fastener; or

missing nut) is detected, before next flight, accomplish the applicable 

corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT 

A57N006-14.

(4) Replacement of fasteners or nuts on an aeroplane, as required by

paragraph (3) of this AD, does not constitute terminating action for the

repetitive inspections as required by this AD for that aeroplane.

Ref. Publications: AOT A57N006-14 original issue dated 04 December 2014, or Revision 01 

dated 16 February 2015.

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.

2. Based on the required actions and the compliance time, EASA have 

decided to issue a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the 

public consultation process until after publication.
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3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: AIRBUS – Airworthiness Office – EIAS;

Fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; E-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com.