Airlines

EASA issues AD to address unsafe conditions with Airbus A350 lavatories

A potential safety concern with the Airbus A350’s lavatories was addressed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) through the release of an Airworthiness Directive (AD).

On A350 aircraft, corrosion has reportedly been discovered on lavatory floor fittings in a number of locations. If this situation is not identified and fixed, it could result in the lavatory module detaching, injuring passengers and/or cabin staff, and perhaps reducing the plane’s capacity for emergency evacuation. Airbus released the SB to provide inspection instructions in order to resolve this potentially dangerous situation.

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For the reasons mentioned above, this AD necessitates regular general visual inspections (GVI) of the affected parts and, depending on findings, the completion of appropriate corrective action. These inspection findings must also be reported, under AD.

The Airbus A350 must complete the GVIs within 36 months of the aircraft’s manufacturing date and 36 months of the latest accomplishment of the manufacturer’s Maintenance Review Board Report task 254000-00001-01M.

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The Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A350-25-P208, published on January 31, 2023, must be consulted by airlines if any inconsistency is found. Even if no post-inspection corrective actions were necessary, carriers will still be obligated to disclose any findings to Airbus within 30 days of each GVI. The AD, which is valid for all Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 models, will go into effect on May 31, 2023.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.