Aircraft

EASA has issued a second airworthiness directive (AD) aimed at preventing Airbus A380 flap track fairings from departing the aircraft in flight, which it says could potentially result "in injuries to persons on the ground."

The safety agency in December issued a similar AD, calling for operators to periodically inspect and possibly replace the number 6 movable flap track fairings (MFTFs) on A380 wings. The alert was based on evidence of cracks and delamination on the composite fairings found during the Engine Alliance-powered A380-861 test campaign in 2008.

For the new AD, issued 26 May, operators must periodically inspect the number 4 MFTFs with ultrasonic and high-frequency eddy current devices or replace the components within 600 flight cycles for Rolls-Royce powered aircraft of 300 flight cycles for Engine Alliance-equipped aircraft. Inspections and replacements for the number 6 fairings continue to apply as well.

The latest issue was discovered after Airbus performed a detailed review on multiple MFTFs (number 2 through number 6) after the December AD concerning the number 6 MFTF. "This investigation has revealed some cracking at MFTF number 4 pivot support ring," EASA states.