AD/Ecureuil/111 Untimely Firing of Squibs (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 AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/ECUREUIL/111 Untimely Firing of Squibs 8/2005 TX

Applicability:

AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3 and D helicopters equipped with Goodrich electric hoist 76370-XXX fitted with any type of motor except Auxilec motors.

Requirement:

1.    Deactivate the squib and affix placards in the cockpit and in the cabin near the hoist operator in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter Alert Telex (AT) No 25.00.94 dated 25 May 2005.

2.    Comply with the operating instructions specified in paragraph 2.D of Eurocopter (AT) No 25.00.94.

3.    Comply with the operating instructions specified in paragraph 2.B of Eurocopter (AT) No 25.00.94.

Note:  DGAC UF-2005-087 refers (EASA 2005-4691).

Compliance:

For requirement 1. - Before the next hoisting operation

For requirement 2. - Immediately following Requirement 1.

For requirement 3. - Prior to installing a hoist.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 June 2005.

Background:

The French Direction de L’Aviation Civile has advised of the discovery of a potential risk of untimely squib firing which would cause the cable to be cut.  Consequently the DGAC and Eurocopter has required the squib function to be inhibited, the manual cable cutter to be operated and operational procedures to be adapted.

Neville Probert
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

31 May 2005