LYON—The wing spars of 16 Airbus A380s require inspection and possible ensuing repairs, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said in an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) effective June 24.
EASA's injunction comes after a December 2025 AD, less urgent but extending to the entire fleet. Three years ago, a phenomenon called hydrogen embrittlement was identified as the cause of accelerated crack development in certain wing spars of A380s that had been stored for extended periods of time. The findings were behind an AD the EASA issued in 2023.
In the latest AD, the EASA explains the inspections that started in 2025 showed that cracks found on some aircraft could reduce the structural integrity of the wing. A wing spar is a primary structural component of the airframe. Airbus saw a need for “additional special detailed inspections” and the AD requires operators to contact the airframer for inspection instructions, EASA said.
On five aircraft, operators should conduct the inspections of the wing middle spars before the next passenger flight. Ferry flights are authorized under restricted conditions. On the other 11 airframes, operators should conduct the inspection within 25 flight cycles, EASA said.
Emirates, a major A380 operator, will begin the inspections within the next 48 hours, an official from the Dubai-based airline said. If an operator finds a discrepancy between the inspected spar and the description of the normal situation, they should contact Airbus for repair instructions, EASA said.
The 2025 AD was targeting aircraft returning to service after being in storage for more than 12 months. That notice added an inspection requirement within 39 months for other A380s.
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