What Happened
Cracked Restraint Brackets Prompt Mandatory Inspections
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive for all Airbus SAS Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes, citing reports of cracked and broken restraint brackets of the anti-ice piccolo tube. The directive requires modification or repetitive special detailed inspections of affected parts, and prohibits a certain repair. The FAA estimates that this directive will affect 70 airplanes of U.S. registry, with estimated costs of compliance ranging from $12,098 to $846,860. This directive was first reported in the Federal Register, according to an unknown source.