EASA AD No.
: 2024-0106
Airworthiness Directive
AD No.: 2024-0106
Issued: 31 May 2024
Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I Part M.A.301, or
Annex Vb Part ML.A.301, as applicable, 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 [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I Part M.A.303, or Annex Vb Part ML.A.303, as applicable] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry
[Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Article 71 exemption].
Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):
AIRBUS S.A.S. A319, A320, A321, A330, A350 and
A380 aeroplanes
Effective Date: 14 June 2024
TCDS Number(s): EASA.A.004, EASA.A.064, EASA.A.110 and EASA.A.151
Foreign AD: Not applicable
Supersedure: None
ATA 44 – Cabin Systems – Antenna Adapter Plate – Inspection
Manufacturer(s):
Airbus, formerly Airbus Industrie
Applicability:
Airbus A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133,
A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-215, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A320-251N,
A320-252N, A320-253N, A320-271N, A320-272N, A320-273N, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213,
A321-231, A321-232, A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321-252N, A321-252NX, A321-253N, A321-253NX,
A321-271N, A321-271NX, A321-272N and A321-272NX aeroplanes; and
Airbus A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303,
A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A330-841 and A330-941
aeroplanes; and
Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes; and
Airbus A380-841, A380-842 and A380-861 aeroplanes;
all manufacturer serial numbers.
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OKDefinitions:
For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:
Affected parts: Broadband antenna adapter plate, skirt, vents and attachment fittings installed, or
eligible for installation on an aeroplane, by embodiment of Airbus production modification (MOD)
as specified in Appendix 1 of this AD, or in accordance with the instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin (SB) listed in Appendix 1 of this AD.
Aeroplane date of manufacture: The date of transfer of title (ownership) of the aeroplane upon
delivery by Airbus to the first operator, which is referenced in Airbus documentation.
Panasonic SB: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) SB RDAA903008-01-44-00, SB
RDAA903141-01-44-00, SB RDAA903194-01-44-00, SB RDAA903366-01-44-00, SB RDAA903465-01-
44-00 or SB RDAA903528-01-44-00, as applicable.
The applicable SB: Airbus SB A320-44-1102, SB A320-44-1103, SB A330-44-3054, SB A350-44-P090
or SB A380-44-8145, as applicable to aeroplane model, and referencing the Panasonic SB.
Groups: Group 1 aeroplanes are those that have an affected part installed.
Group 2 aeroplanes are those that do not have an affected part installed.
Reason:
Corrosion and cracks on the affected parts have been reported after an inspection. Further
investigation determined that the affected parts are made of material susceptible to corrosion
cracking, and that the recommended maintenance programs do not ensure timely detection of
cracks or damages in this area.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to in-flight detachment of radome, antenna
and/or affected parts, which could impact the tail section of the aeroplane, possibly resulting in
damage to, and reduced control of, the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the applicable SB, which refer to SB issued
by Panasonic (current manufacturer of the affected part), to provide inspection instructions for the
affected parts.
For the reason described above, this AD requires repetitive general visual inspections (GVI) of the
affected parts, and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).
This AD is considered to be an interim action and further AD action may follow.
Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):
Required as indicated by this AD, unless the actions required by this AD have been already
accomplished:
Inspections:
(1) For Group 1 aeroplanes: Within the compliance time as specified in Appendix A of the
applicable SB, and, thereafter, at intervals not exceeding 36 months, accomplish a GVI of the
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EASA AD No.: 2024-0106
affected parts in accordance with the instructions of the Panasonic SB, as referenced in the
applicable SB.
Where the applicable SB refers to “years since date of Antenna system embodiment”, the years
accumulated on the effective date of this AD since the date of first installation of that affected
part on that aeroplane must be used instead; if the affected part was installed during aircraft
production or, if the date of first installation is unknown, the aeroplane date of manufacture
must be used instead. Where the applicable SB refers to the “SB publication date”, the effective
date of this AD must be used instead.
Corrective Action(s):
(2) If, during any GVI as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any crack and/or corrosion are
detected on an affected part, before next flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s)
in accordance with the instructions of the applicable SB, or contact Airbus for approved repair
instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly, or replace that part with a
serviceable part (see paragraph (5) of this AD).
Terminating Action:
(3) None.
Reporting:
(4) Within 30 days after each GVI as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, report the inspection
results (including no findings for the first inspection only) to Airbus. Using the inspection report
attached to the applicable SB is an acceptable method to comply with this requirement.
Part(s) Installation:
(5) For Group 1 and Group 2 aeroplanes: From the effective date of the AD, it is allowed to install
an affected part on an aeroplane, provided it is new or that it has accumulated less than 36
months since previous GVI, or that, before next flight after installation, it is inspected and,
depending on findings, corrective action are accomplished as required by paragraphs (1) and (2)
of this AD (see Note 1 of this AD).
After installation of affected part on a Group 2 aeroplane, the aeroplane is effectively
considered a Group 1 and must be inspected as required by this AD.
Note 1: Removal of an affected part and reinstallation of an affected part on the same aeroplane,
accomplished during a single maintenance visit, is not considered as installation as specified in
paragraph (5) of this AD.
Credit:
(6) Inspection(s) and corrective action(s), accomplished on an aeroplane, before the effective date
of this AD, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A380-44-8145 original issue are
acceptable to comply with the initial requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) of this AD, as
applicable, for that aeroplane.
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Alternative Method of Compliance:
(7) Inspection(s) accomplished on an aeroplane, in accordance with the instructions of the
following Maintenance Procedures are acceptable to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (1) of this AD, for that aeroplane:
A320: TASK 44-33-21-400-801-A - Installation of the Adapter Plate Kit.
A330: TASK 44-33-21-400-801-A - Installation of the Adapter Plate-Kit.
A350: TASK A350-A-44-33-11-A7001-720A-A - Installation of the Broadband Antenna Adapter-Plate.
A380: TASK 44-33-25-400-801-A - Installation of the Adapter Plate Kit.
Ref. Publications:
Airbus SB A320-44-1102 original issue dated 22 December 2023.
Airbus SB A320-44-1103 original issue dated 22 December 2023.
Airbus SB A330-44-3054 original issue dated 22 December 2023.
Airbus SB A350-44-P090 original issue dated 22 December 2023.
Airbus SB A380-44-8145 revision 1 dated 22 April 2024.
The use of later approved revisions of the above-mentioned documents is acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of this AD.
Panasonic SB RDAA903008-01-44-00 original issue dated 30 October 2023 and Revision 1 dated 14
December 2023.
Panasonic SB RDAA903141-01-44-00 original issue dated 30 October 2023 and Revision 1 dated 18
December 2023.
Panasonic SB RDAA903194-01-44-00 original issue dated 30 October 2023 and Revision 1 dated 14
December 2023.
Panasonic SB RDAA903366-01-44-00 original issue dated 26 June 2023, Revision 1 dated 27 October
2023 and Revision 2 dated 21 December 2023.
Panasonic SB RDAA903465-01-44-00 original issue dated 30 October 2023 and Revision 1 dated 19
December 2023.
Panasonic SB RDAA903528-01-44-00 original issue dated 30 October 2023 and Revision 1 dated 19
December 2023.
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Remarks:
1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.
2. This AD was posted on 18 March 2024 as PAD 24-034 for consultation until 15 April 2024.
The Comment Response Document can be found in the EASA Safety Publications Tool, in the
compressed (‘zipped’) file, attached to the record for this AD.
3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: ADs@[Link].
4. Information about any failures, malfunctions, defects or other occurrences, which may be
similar to the unsafe condition addressed by this AD, and which may occur, or have occurred on
a product, part or appliance not affected by this AD, can be reported to the EU aviation safety
reporting system. This may include reporting on the same or similar components, other than
those covered by the design to which this AD applies, if the same unsafe condition can exist or
may develop on an aircraft with those components installed. Such components may be
installed under an FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) or other modification.
5. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
contact: AIRBUS, as specified below:
For A320 family program: Airworthiness Office,
E-mail: [Link]-eas@[Link]
For A330 family program: Airworthiness Office,
E-mail: airworthiness.A330-A340@[Link]
For A350 family program: Airworthiness Office,
E-mail: continued-airworthiness.a350@[Link]
For A380 family program: Airworthiness Office,
E-mail: [Link]-A380@[Link]
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EASA AD No.: 2024-0106
Appendix 1 – List of MOD/SB Installing Affected Parts
Production Program
Retrofit SB KIT Part Number Designation
MOD Applicability
113406 TOP KIT - Antenna System,
RD-AA903366-01
115826 A350 - PAC GCS, Single Panel
RDAA903366-01*
108765 antenna (SPA)
TOP KIT - Antenna System,
RD-AA903008-01
100549 A350 - PAC GCS, Dual Panel
RDAA903008-01*
Antenna (DPA)
A380-44-8112
RD-AA903141-01 Adapter Plate Installation
73057 A380 or
RDAA903141-01* Kit DPA
A380-44-8113
203251
RD-AA903194-01 Adapter Plate
204608 A330 A330-44-3025
RDAA903194-01* Installation Kit DPA
RD-AA903528-01 Adapter Plate
207191 A330 A330-44-3025
RDAA903528-01* Installation Kit SPA
158784 RD-AA903465-01 Adapter Plate
A320 -
160690 RDAA903465-01* Installation Kit SPA
* PN as mentioned in Reference Publication Airbus’ SBs
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