The FAA updated its airworthiness directives to include inspection of door plug installations in addition to previous mandatory inspections of airframe parts, after further cracks were discovered in some components.
Bloomberg News reported that the additional inspections required for all A320 family aircraft will become mandatory as of January 13, “to address the unsafe condition in these products,” according to the directive covering 1,924 aircraft registered in the United States.
Aircraft doors, bolts, and panels have become a focus for safety experts after a door-sized plug blew out of a Boeing 737 Max fuselage while in flight early last year. Although there were no injuries, the incident led to investigations that revealed gaps in controls at Boeing’s factories.
The European company Airbus has faced several issues related to the A320 family of aircraft in the past two weeks. The European aircraft manufacturer was forced to revise its aircraft delivery target for this year after discovering non-conforming panels. The company also called for an urgent review of the model’s software just days before.
Aviation authorities periodically issue and update airworthiness directives. These directives often address minor problems, but can also result in additional maintenance and other related costs for airlines.
