CUSTOMER SERVICES DIRECTORATE

2 ROND POINT EMILE DEWOITINE

31700 BLAGNAC FRANCE
TELEPHONE + 33 (0)5 61 93 33 33

ALERT OPERATORS TRANSMISSION - AOT

SUBJECT: ATA 57 – INSPECTION OF BOTTOM WING SKIN PANEL 2 AT MANHOLE COVERS AREA
BETWEEN RIB13 and RIB26

AIRCRAFT TYPE: A319, A320, A321

OUR REF.: A57N018-21 Rev 01 dated 14-JUN-2023

OUR PREVIOUS REF: A57N018-21 Rev 00 dated 08-NOV-2021

EFFECTIVITY DATE: 28th of June 2023

***BEG REV***
0. REASON FOR REVISION

This AOT revision is issued:

- to extend the inspection area originally ending at RIB23 up to the RIB26,
- to include the A320FAM_NEO aircraft,
- to introduce a reduced compliance time for the A320FAM_CEO ACJ Corporate Jet variants,
- and to revisit the A320FAM_CEO compliance time.
The revised paragraphs are indicated between ***BEG REV*** and ***END REV***.
***END REV***

1. AIRCRAFT AFFECTED

***BEG REV***
-A319/A320/A321_CEO aircraft equipped with Sharklet devices installed in production or in-service as
per Airbus Service Bulletin (SB A320-57-1173, or SB A320-57-1186 or SB A320-57-1187 or SB
A320-57-1193).
-And all A319/A320/A321_NEO aircraft.

Note:
-The A318 are excluded from this AOT.
-See Appendix 3 for relevant CEO/NEO aircraft standards and MODs.
***END REV***

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTATION

2.1 APPENDIX

Appendix 1: Inspection Flow Charts

Appendix 2: Inspection Report Form
***BEG REV***
Appendix 3: Aircraft Model/MOD - Initial & Repeat Interval Inspection
***END REV***

2.2 REFERENCES

Ref.[1] NTM 51-90-00 – Visual Testing – General

Ref.[2] AMM task 57-55-11-000-XXX-A – Removal of flap track fairing n°2, 3 and 4
Ref.[3] AMM task 57-55-11-400-XXX-A – Installation of flap track fairing n°2, 3 and 4
Ref.[4] OIT 999.0018/16 – Procedure to report results of ISB and AOT

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***BEG REV***
Ref.[5] EASA AD No. 2021-0256 issued on 16 November 2021: ATA 57 – Wings – Bottom Wing Skin
Panel 2 – Inspection
Ref.[6] TFU 57.21.00021 – AOT A57N018-21: ATA57 - A320Fam_sharklet Inspection of Bottom Wing
Skin Panel 2 at Manhole Access Covers area Btw RIB13 and RIB26
Note: For ref.[2] and ref.[3], “XXX” depends on the aircraft Fleet Serial Number.
***END REV***

3. REASON

3.1 FACTS

In the frame of a development structural test, a risk has been identified of potential fatigue cracking from
the loaded manhole access covers’ attachment holes in the bottom wing skin panels.

***BEG REV***
It is required to inspect both wings Left Hand (LH) and Right Hand (RH) between Rib13 and Rib26 (see
fig.1 and fig.2).
***END REV***

These in-service inspections are required in order to ensure continued airworthiness of Single Aisle
aircraft equipped with Sharklet device.

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***BEG REV***

AREA TO BE
INSPECTED

B INSIDE
WING
TANK

B-B

BOTTOM WING EXTERNAL MANHOLE ACCESS

SKIN PANEL 2 SURFACE COVER

Fig.1: Manhole access covers location and attachment principle on the Bottom Wing Skin Panel 2
***END REV***

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***BEG REV***

VIEW OF BOTTOM WING PANEL EXTERNAL SURFACE AT

FLAP TRACK FAIRING N°4 (BETWEEN RIB18-RIB20)

FLAP TRACK
FAIRING N°4

TYPICAL VIEW OF BOTTOM WING PANEL EXTERNAL SURFACE BETWEEN RIB13-RIB18 AND RIB20-RIB26

Fig.2: External Surface of Bottom Wing Skin Panel – Typical views

***END REV***

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3.2 CONSEQUENCES

If not detected, crack propagation may reduce the structural integrity of Bottom Wing Skin Panel 2.

3.3 AIM

***BEG REV***
The aim of this AOT is to provide instructions for a repetitive Detailed Visual Inspection (DVI) on the
external surface of the Bottom Wing Skin Panel n°2 between Rib13 and Rib26 around the manhole access
covers.

BOTTOM WING
SKIN PANEL 1 BOTTOM WING
SKIN PANEL 2

BOTTOM WING
SKIN PANEL 3

FLAP TRACK
FAIRING N°4

RIB i (where i=13 to 25) RIB i+1

STR.8

TYPICAL PANEL
EXTERNAL SURFACE TO
BE INSPECTED
(FOR EACH RIB BAY)

STR.11

Fig.3: Bottom Wing Panel 2 external surface to be inspected (for both wings)
***END REV***

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4. SHORT TERM ACTION

***BEG REV***
NOTE: This AOT is classified mandatory by the EASA Airworthiness Directive (AD) No. 2021-0256
(Ref.[5]) expected to be reconsidered in accordance with AOT rev01.
The accomplishment instructions marked as Required for Compliance (RC) must be done to comply with
the AD. “RC” is indicating these paragraphs accordingly.
***END REV***

NOTE: The accomplishment instructions of this AOT include procedures given in other documents or in
other sections of the AOT. When the words ’refer to’ are used and the operator has a procedure accepted
by the local authority he belongs to, the accepted alternative procedure can be used. When the words ’in
accordance with’ are used then the given procedure must be followed.

NOTE: The access and close-up instructions, not comprising return to service tests, in this AOT do not
constitute or affect the technical intent of the AOT. Operators can therefore, as deemed necessary, omit
or add access and/or close-up steps to add flexibility to their maintenance operations as long as the
technical intent of the AOT is met within the set parameters.

4.1 PLANNING AND MANPOWER

4.1.1 ACCOMPLISHMENT TIMESCALE – (RC)

***BEG REV***
Perform the initial inspection in accordance with paragraph 4.2 (with FC=Flight Cycles, FH= Flight
Hours):
-For the A319/A320/A321_CEO Sharklet: before accumulation of xxxFC or yyyFH (whichever
occurs first) since first flight.
See Appendix 3 for relevant xxxFC and yyyFH.

Note: For aircraft which have been already inspected as per AOT rev.00 requirements, it is not
requested to inspect the extended area from Rib23 to Rib26 prior to the next planned repeat
inspection date.

-For the A319/A320/A321_NEO: before accumulation of xxxFC or yyyFH (whichever occurs first)
since first flight or within five (5) months from AOT rev.01 effective date, whichever occurs later.
See Appendix 3 for relevant xxxFC and yyyFH.

Repeat the inspection in accordance with paragraph 4.2 and Appendix 3.

***END REV***

4.1.2 MANPOWER

The estimated time to get access and close-up is 10 Man Hours (MH) per aircraft, with two persons (5
MH each).

The estimated time to perform the DVI inspection is 4 MH per aircraft, with two persons (2 MH each).

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4.2 DESCRIPTION

4.2.1 ACCESS

***BEG REV***
Use a standard platform or a cherry picker to get access below both wings to inspect the external
surface of the Bottom Wing Skin Panels n°2 between Rib13 and Rib26.
***END REV***

It is not required to remove the manhole access covers.

For both wings, it is required to remove the fixed fairing of the Flap Track n°4 (in accordance with the
Ref.[2]) to perform the DVI.

4.2.2 INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS – (RC)

***BEG REV***
On the LH and RH wings between Rib13 and Rib26, perform a DVI in accordance with the Ref.[1] on the
external surface of the Bottom Wing Skin Panel n°2, around the manhole access covers. Refer to fig.3 for
inspection area.
***END REV***

Note: Before inspection, clean the external panel surface including the radius between the manhole
access cover and the bottom wing skin panel.

4.2.3 FINDINGS – (RC)

Below picture shows the potential crack locations on the bottom wing skin panel 2 at the manhole bolt
holes and at the internal/external panel surfaces:

Potential crack initiation (at manhole bolt hole)

Internal panel surface

External panel surface

MANHOLE ACCESS BOTTOM WING
COVER SKIN PANEL 2

Potential crack propagation

Fig.4: Potential crack locations

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Below picture shows the typical crack orientation on the external panel surface. Only two cracks are
shown but crack orientation remains the same for all fasteners.

Rib i Rib i+1

Front edge of Bottom
Typical crack orientation Wing Skin Panel 2
Bottom Wing Skin Panel

Manhole
access cover
2

Typical crack orientation

Rear edge of Bottom
Wing Skin Panel 2

Fig.5: Typical crack orientation

In case of finding, before next flight, contact Airbus for approved repair instructions and accomplish
those instructions accordingly.

Report inspection results (finding and nil finding) as per paragraph 7 within one (1) month after the
inspection.

4.2.4 CLOSE-UP
In case of nil finding, re-install the fixed fairing of the Flap Tracks n°4 (in accordance with the Ref.[3])
before next flight.

4.3 SPARES AND TOOLING

No specific spares and tooling are needed for this inspection.

5. FURTHER INFORMATION

5.1 FOLLOW-UP PLAN

***BEG REV***
Follow-up on this subject is ensured through the TFU 57.21.00021 (Ref.[6]).
***END REV***

5.2 IMPACTED DOCUMENTATION

No specific documentation is impacted.

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6. AOT APPROVAL

The technical content of this document is approved under the authority of the DOA ref.EASA.21J.031.

7. REPORTING

Questions about this AOT are to be addressed to Airbus Customer Services through TechRequest on
Airbus World, selecting Engineering Domain and ATA 57-20.

Questions about repair in case of finding are to be addressed to Airbus Customer Services through
TechRequest on Airbus World, selecting Repair Domain and Airline code.

As per latest reporting policy (Ref to OIT 999.0018/16 Ref.[4]), inspection results as per appendix 2 (with
or without finding) are to be addressed to Airbus Customer Services through the generic e-mail address:
inspection.results@airbus.com.

Best Regards,

Wolfgang WOHLERS Jean-Pierre GOMEZ

VICE PRESIDENT ENGINEERING SUPPORT VICE PRESIDENT A320 FAMILY
CUSTOMER SERVICES PROGRAMME
CUSTOMER SERVICES

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***BEG REV***
APPENDIX 1 – Inspection Flow Charts

For the A319/A320/A321_CEO aircraft

From the effective AOT rev.01 issuance date
[Inspection flowchart per wing - Both wings to be inspected]

Before the “Initial inspection” presented in

Appendix 3 (in FC or FH whichever occurs first)
from the aircraft first flight.

Get access. Remove the fixed fairing of

the flap track n°4 (as per ref.[2]).

Repeat inspection
(see Appendix 3 for
Inspection Interval).
Perform a Detailed Visual Inspection (as
per ref.[1]) on the external surface of the
bottom wing skin panel around the
manhole access covers.

Reinstall the fixed

fairing of the flap
track n°4 (as per Is damage YES Before next flight,
ref.[3]) before next detected? contact AIRBUS
flight. for instructions.

NO

Report inspection results (as Report inspection results

per Appendix 2, with (as per Appendix 2, with
indication of NIL finding) to indication of finding) to
AIRBUS in accordance with AIRBUS in accordance
ref.[4]. with ref.[4].

Fig.6: Flowchart for A320FAM_CEO aircraft

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For the A319/A320/A321_NEO aircraft:

From the effective AOT rev.01 issuance date
[Inspection flowchart per wing - Both wings to be inspected]

Before the relevant initial inspection presented in Appendix 3 (in

FC or FH whichever occurs first) from the aircraft first flight
or
within 5 months from the AOT rev.01 effective date,
whichever occurs later.

Get access. Remove the fixed fairing of the flap

track n°4 (as per ref.[2]).

Repeat inspection Perform a Detailed Visual Inspection (as per

(see Appendix 3 for ref.[1]) on the external surface of the bottom
Inspection Interval). wing skin panel around the manhole access
covers.

Reinstall the fixed YES Before next flight,

fairing of the flap track Is damage
contact AIRBUS
n°4 (as per ref.[3]) detected?
for instructions.
before next flight.

NO

Report inspection results (as

Report inspection results (as
per Appendix 2, with
per Appendix 2, with indication
indication of finding) to
of NIL finding) to AIRBUS in
AIRBUS in accordance with
accordance with ref.[4].
ref.[4].

Fig.7: Flowchart for A320FAM_NEO aircraft

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APPENDIX 2 – Inspection Report Form

A/C INFORMATION:

OPERATOR:
A/C MSN:
A/C REGISTRATION:

A/C FLIGHT CYCLES:

A/C FLIGHT HOURS:

DATE OF INSPECTION:

VISUAL INSPECTION RESULT:

A RIB13
C
E
G

I
K

B RIB23
M
D
F RIB26
H
J
L

Manhole area Identification (LHS shown, RHS symetrical)

Manhole area Finding at LH WING Finding at RH WING

(Yes/No) (Yes/No)
Manhole A (Rib13-14)
Manhole B (Rib14-15)
Manhole C (Rib15-16)
Manhole D (Rib16-17)
Manhole E (Rib17-18)
Manhole F (Rib18-19)
Manhole G (Rib19-20)
Manhole H (Rib20-21)
Manhole I (Rib21-22)
Manhole J (Rib22-23)
Manhole K (Rib23-24)
Manhole L (Rib24-25)
Manhole M (Rib25-26)

COMMENTS (free text):

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APPENDIX 3 – Aircraft Model/MOD - Initial & Repeat Interval Inspection

INITIAL REPEAT
BASIC AIRCRAFT SHORTHAND INSPECTION INSPECTION
MOD STANDARD
MODEL NAME (AFTER FIRST INTERVAL
FLIGHT)
CEO
POST 160080
Sharklet Retrofit 15,500FC / 2,000FC /
A319-100
CEO POST 160001 31,000FH 4,000FH
Sharklet POST 160500
POST 28162 / 28238 / 28342
CJ Sharklet Retrofit
POST 160080
A319-100 Corporate 9,300FC / 1,200FC /
POST 28162 / 28238 / 28342
Jets 40,000FH 5,100FH
CJ Sharklet POST 160001
POST 160500
CEO
POST 160080
Sharklet Retrofit 15,500FC / 2,000FC /
A320-200
CEO POST 160001 31,000FH 4,000FH
Sharklet POST 160500
CEO POST 160021 15,500FC / 2,000FC /
A321-200
Sharklet POST 160023 31,000FH 4,000FH

Table 1: For A319/A320/A321_CEO aircraft

INITIAL REPEAT
BASIC AIRCRAFT SHORTHAND INSPECTION INSPECTION
MOD STANDARD
MODEL NAME (AFTER FIRST INTERVAL
FLIGHT)
POST 161004 11,800FC / 2,000FC /
A319-100 NEO
POST 161001 23,600FH 4,000FH
A319-100 Corporate 7,000FC / 1,200FC /
ACJ319NEO POST 162338
Jets 30,100FH 5,100FH
POST 161003 11,800FC / 2,000FC /
A320-200 NEO
POST 161000 23,600FH 4,000FH

A320-200 Corporate 7,000FC / 1,200FC /

ACJ320NEO POST 162339
Jets 30,100FH 5,100FH
POST 161005
NEO
POST 161002
POST 161005 8,800FC / 2,000FC /
A321-200
POST 160286 17,600FH 4,000FH
NEO ACF
POST 161002
POST 160286

Table 2: For A319/A320/A321_NEO aircraft

***END REV***

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