The European Union Aviation Safety Agency proposes to inspect some Airbus SE A320 aircraft and require carriers to repair any panels found on fuselages that do not meet specifications, UNN reports with reference to Bloomberg.
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Operators who have received A320 family aircraft with potentially non-compliant parts will be required to measure their thickness if certain conditions apply and report their findings to Airbus, according to an EASA directive published on Wednesday. The airworthiness directive is open for public comment until January 14.
The notice came after "an Airbus supplier identified a quality issue in manufacturing that resulted in potential deviations from the specified thickness of various fuselage panels supplied to Airbus," the regulator said.
"This condition, if not detected and corrected, in combination with certain repair conditions, could affect the structural integrity of the aircraft," EASA said.
A day earlier, Airbus published a so-called operator transmission alerting airlines about the problem and the serial numbers of potentially affected aircraft.
Union accuses Spanish Airbus supplier of factory disruptions - Media05.12.25, 20:28 • [views_4614]
The panels were manufactured by Sofitec Aero SL, and Airbus previously stated that it was implementing a joint plan with the Spanish supplier that includes bringing quality and supply chain specialists to the production site in Seville.
The supplier is at the center of recent quality control issues that forced Airbus to cut its 2025 delivery target. A total of 628 aircraft contain panels that may be too thick or too thin due to manufacturing problems, Bloomberg reported earlier this month.
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Most of these aircraft are still with Airbus, although about 170 are currently flying.
Airlines that have previously performed repairs on the relevant panels will be required to inspect these areas for the required thickness within 14 days of the directive's entry into force. Airbus will provide them with repair instructions if the panels do not meet specifications.
Another full panel inspection will need to be performed within six months of the directive's entry into force.
The union representing Sofitec workers previously accused the supplier of broader problems at its factory, including falsifying production process dates and using expired materials. The union also said the company had been attacked by government inspectors for violating health and safety standards.
Airbus said it could not comment on specific union claims.