EASA Publishes AD Proposal for Airbus A320 Faulty Panel Inspections
December 18, 2025 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2025-1766052248235-1490
The European Aviation Safety Agency (AeroTime) has published an Airworthiness Directive (AD) proposal for Airbus A320 family-aircraft affected by a faulty panel flaw. The directive requires one-time general visual inspections and full panel thickness measurements within six months of the effective date. According to AeroTime, 177 aircraft in service and 451 in production will be included in the inspection order. This development may signal increased regulatory oversight for Airbus, potentially impacting their delivery projections and reputation.
Key Takeaways
- EASA published an Airworthiness Directive (AD) proposal for Airbus A320 aircraft.
- The directive requires inspection procedures for faulty forward fuselage skin panels.
- 177 aircraft in service and 451 in production will be affected by the inspection order.
Strategic Implications
This development may indicate a growing concern among regulators regarding the quality of aircraft components. The proposed AD could lead to increased scrutiny on Airbus’s manufacturing processes, potentially impacting their delivery projections and reputation. Additionally, this issue highlights the importance of effective communication between aircraft manufacturers and regulatory bodies in addressing safety concerns.