AD/Ecureuil/122 Emergency Flotation 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 AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/ECUREUIL/122 Emergency Flotation Gear 1/2007 TX

Applicability:

EC 130 B4 helicopters, all serial numbers, modified in accordance with MOD 073774 (Installation of screws/nuts in place of the attachments of the lower fairings with “blind” nuts) and not embodying Eurocopter drawing 350A085340.

Requirement:

1.    For affected EC 130 B4 helicopters not modified in accordance with Eurocopter drawing 350A085342 - Check the condition of the electrical harnesses and the attachment, carry out the corrective actions if necessary and protect the electrical harnesses in accordance with the instructions described in paragraphs 2.B.1 through 2.B.3 (corresponding to Eurocopter drawing 350A085342) and 2.B.5 of Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 88A001 dated 10 November 2006 or later approved version.

2.    Check the condition of the electrical harnesses, carry out the corrective actions and install the clamp blocks in accordance with the instructions described in paragraphs 2.B.1, 2.B.2.a, 2.B.4 (corresponding to Eurocopter drawing 350A085340) and 2.B.5 of ASB 88A001 or later approved version.

Note 1:  Compliance with Requirement 2 within 10 flight hours after the effective date of this Directive makes compliance with Requirement 1 redundant.

Note 2:  EASA Emergency AD 2006-0344-E refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1 - Within 10 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date this Directive

For Requirement 2 - Within 550 hours TIS or within 2 years after the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 November 2006.

Background:

Eurocopter has advised the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) of a report of an in flight incident which led to the inflation of the emergency floatation gear and the activation of various warnings.

Investigations have revealed that a screw that secures the RH lower centre fairing interfered with an electrical harness and caused several short circuits, resulting in the inflation of the emergency floatation gear.

The purpose of this Directive is to detect and prevent any interference between the electrical harnesses and the bottom structure fairing attachment screws post MOD 073774.  Embodiment of a modification in accordance with Eurocopter drawing 350A085342 is considered to be a temporary (interim) solution, to ensure that there is no interference.  Embodiment of a modification in accordance with Eurocopter drawing 350A085340 is the permanent solution that can be applied according to the availability of the helicopter and components.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

15 November 2006