EASA Addresses Landing Gear Quality Issues on Airbus A330 and A340

In response to reports of irregularities in the manufacturing quality of the Airbus A330 and A340 main landing gear (MLG), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has initiated measures to address the situation. The identified issues concern the possibility of the MLG collapsing due to anomalies in the quality of components.

EASA’s latest airworthiness directive (AD) highlights instances of quality non-conformity in MLG axles, specifically relating to excessive high velocity oxygen-fuel coating on the bearing journal runout areas. This excess coating could lead to degradation of the protective layer, exposing the base material and potentially causing corrosion.

The agency cautions that if left uncorrected, this condition might ultimately result in MLG axle failure, potentially leading to the collapse of the landing gear. Such an eventuality could cause damage to the aircraft and pose a risk to occupants’ safety.

This directive is applicable to all Airbus A330ceo and A330neo models, as well as A340-300 aircraft across all Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSN).

Airlines operating Airbus A330 or A340-300s are required to conduct inspections on MLGs with Part Number (P/N) 55-2117042-00. EASA has provided a list of 59 affected aircraft that have this part installed based on the date of manufacture.

Inspections must be carried out within 24 months from the entry into service date of the part. Subsequently, operators need to perform inspections at intervals no longer than 24 months. In the event of any discrepancies during these checks, airlines are advised to contact SAFRAN Landing Systems before the next flight for instructions on addressing the issue.

SAFRAN will then provide a compliance timeline for rectifying the affected components. If SAFRAN does not provide this timeline, EASA urges airlines to ensure its establishment prior to the next flight of an A330/A340-300 aircraft.

For aircraft with Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSN) listed in EASA’s provided list, airlines must replace the affected part within 150 months from the part’s entry into service. It’s worth noting that replacing the entire MLG with one that contains a serviceable component, unaffected by the AD, fulfills the directive’s requirements.

Calls for an Extension Two major A330 operators, Delta Air Lines and Cathay Pacific, have engaged with EASA regarding this directive.

Delta Air Lines submitted multiple comments, including a proposal for including a permanent repair option for the MLG as a means of compliance. However, EASA stated that the current Airbus’ Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) 32-13-25 does not encompass this repair procedure. EASA expressed its intent to align the directive with the manual once the procedure is added.

Delta Air Lines also requested an extension of the compliance timeframe to include “24 months after the AD effective date, whichever is later,” to avoid grounding three aircraft on the AD’s effective date. EASA, based on existing data, did not support a general extension of the compliance period as suggested.

Addressing Exemptions Cathay Pacific raised concerns about the directive’s applicability, indicating that not all Airbus A330 and A340 MLGs are compatible with the affected components. The airline emphasized the need for precise identification of the aircraft and landing gear subject to the quality issue outlined in the AD. However, EASA’s response stated that the affected MLGs could be installed on aircraft with specific modifications or service bulletins, thus necessitating the directive’s application to all applicable MSNs.

Publication and Implementation EASA published the AD on August 30, 2023, with the directive set to take effect from September 13, 2023.