Ad/EC 120/19 - Emergency Floatation Gear (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters

AD/EC 120/19 Emergency Floatation Gear 11/2009 DM

Applicability:

Model EC 120 B helicopters, all serial numbers, if equipped with the following emergency floatation gears:

Left hand floatation gear, part number 215674-0 or 215674-1 or 215674-2, fitted with float part number 215481-0.

Right hand floatation gear, part number 215675-0 or 215675-1 or 215675-2, fitted with float part number 215482-0.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2009-0190.

After the effective date of this Directive, do not install the affected emergency floatation gears on any helicopter, unless in accordance with the requirements of this Directive.

Note:  Eurocopter EC 120 Alert Service Bulletin 05A011 dated 8 June 2009, or later EASA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 September 2009.

Background:

During overhaul of an emergency floatation gear installation, it was impossible to inflate the right hand float in accordance with the instructions of the equipment manufacturer’s manual.  Investigation conducted by the repair centre demonstrated that there was a puncture in one of the compartments of the right hand float and damage to several areas of the left and right hand floats due to contact with the protruding sections of the supply bars and banjo unions.  Such a condition, unless corrected, could lead to insufficient effectiveness on ditching and may lead to instability of the helicopter on the water during an emergency landing.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

31 August 2009