EASA PAD No.
: 20-062
Notification of a Proposal to issue
an Airworthiness Directive
PAD No.: 20-062
Issued: 08 April 2020
Note: This Proposed Airworthiness Directive (PAD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with
Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the
European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 129 of that
Regulation.
In accordance with the EASA Continuing Airworthiness Procedures, the Executive Director is proposing the issuance of an EASA Airworthiness Directive
(AD), applicable to the aeronautical product(s) identified below.
All interested persons may send their comments, referencing the PAD Number above, to the e-mail address specified in the ‘Remarks’ section, prior to
the consultation date indicated.
Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):
AIRBUS A350 Aeroplanes
Effective Date: [TBD - standard: 14 days after AD issue date]
TCDS Number(s): EASA.A.151
Foreign AD: Not applicable
Supersedure: None
ATA 55 – Stabilizers – Horizontal Tail Plane Lateral Load Fitting Bushings –
Inspection
Manufacturer(s):
Airbus
Applicability:
Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers, except those on
which Airbus modification (mod) 110669 or mod 114806 has been embodied in production.
Definitions:
For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:
The modification SB: Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A350-55-P012.
The inspection SB: Airbus SB A350-55-P013.
Affected parts: Bushings of the horizontal tail plane (HTP) lateral load fittings (LLF), on the right-
hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) sides, installed at the 4 locations as indicated in the inspection SB.
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EASA PAD No.: 20-062
Airbus date of manufacture: The date of transfer of title (ownership) which is referenced in Airbus
documentation at the time of first delivery to an operator.
Reason:
Occurrences were reported that, during flight test campaigns, bushings on the HTP LLF had
migrated.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to combined corrosion and fatigue damage
of the primary structure, possibly resulting in failure of the HTP LLF and adjacent structure, in-flight
HTP detachment and consequent damage to, and reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the inspection SB to provide inspection
and repair instructions of the affected parts. Airbus also issued the modification SB, providing
modification instructions.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive detailed inspections (DET) of the
affected parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s). This
AD also provides a modification as optional terminating action for the repetitive DET.
Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:
Repetitive Inspections:
(1) Within the compliance time indicated in Table 1 of this AD, and, thereafter, at intervals not to
exceed the values as defined in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, accomplish a DET of the
affected parts in accordance with the instructions of the inspection SB.
Table 1 – DET threshold and interval(s)
Compliance Time
Aeroplanes Interval
(since Airbus date of manufacture)
A350-941 Within 6 years 6 years
Before exceeding 5 500 flight cycles 5 500 FC, 22 900 FH or
A350-1041 (FC), 22 900 flight hours (FH), or 6 years, whichever
6 years, whichever occurs first occurs first
Corrective Action(s):
(2) If, during any DET as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, deficiencies (as defined in the
inspection SB) are found, before next flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s),
and, thereafter, depending on findings, accomplish any applicable follow-on action(s) in
accordance with the instructions of the inspection SB.
Terminating Action:
(3) In case of bush migration identified during any DET as required by paragraph (1) of this AD,
repair of all affected parts on an aeroplane in accordance with the instructions of the
inspection SB, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections as required by
paragraph (1) of this AD for that aeroplane.
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EASA PAD No.: 20-062
(4) Modification of an aeroplane in accordance with the instructions of the modification SB
constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections as required by paragraph (1) of
this AD for that aeroplane.
Reporting:
(5) Within 30 days after each DET as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, report the inspection
results (including no findings) to Airbus. This can be accomplished by using the instructions of
the inspection SB.
Ref. Publications:
Airbus SB A350-55-P012 original issue dated 18 February 2020.
Airbus SB A350-55-P013 original issue dated 18 February 2020.
The use of later approved revisions of the above-mentioned documents is acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of this AD.
Remarks:
1. This Proposed AD will be closed for consultation on 06 May 2020.
2. Enquiries regarding this PAD should be referred to the EASA Programming and Continued
Airworthiness Information Section, Certification Directorate. E-mail: [email protected].
3. Information about any failures, malfunctions, defects or other occurrences, which may be
similar to the unsafe condition addressed by this PAD, and which may occur, or have occurred
on a product, part or appliance not affected by this PAD, can be reported to the EU aviation
safety reporting system.
4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this PAD, please
contact: AIRBUS A350 XWB, E-mail: [email protected].
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