AD/Ecureuil/132 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 AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/ECUREUIL/132 Emergency Floatation Gear 13/2008 DM

Applicability:

Model AS350 BA helicopters, all serial numbers, fitted with emergency floatation gear including the container assemblies listed below, and for which an operating time limit extension has not been already granted by the equipment manufacturer AERAZUR:

-     Left hand container assembly part number 158170 or 158210-1; and,

-     Right hand container assembly part number 158171 or 158215-1.

Requirement:

Replace container assemblies in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.01.02 Revision 0, dated 24 September 2008, or later EASA approved revision, at the times specified in the Compliance section:

A possible non-recurring extension to the operating time limit of the container assemblies installed on a helicopter can be obtained, by returning them to the equipment manufacturer for examination.

From the effective date of this Directive, no person shall install container assemblies manufactured 10 or more years ago on a helicopter, unless they are returned to the equipment manufacturer for examination and have obtained a non-recurring extension to the operating time limit.

From the effective date of this Directive, no person shall either continue operation or install on a helicopter, container assemblies with operating time limit extensions granted by the equipment manufacturer if the extension time limit has already expired.

Note:  EASA AD 2008-0189 refers.

Compliance:

1.    If the container assemblies were manufactured 12 or more years ago, within 30 days after 24 October 2008.

2.    If the container assemblies were manufactured between 10 and 12 years ago, within 60 days after 24 October 2008, without exceeding 12 years and 1 month since the equipment date of manufacture, whichever occurs first.

3.    If the container assemblies were manufactured between 9 and 10 years ago, no later than 10 years and two months since the equipment date of manufacture.

4.    If the container assemblies were manufactured less than 9 years ago, no later than 10 years since the equipment date of manufacture.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 October 2008.

Background:

The emergency floatation gear container assemblies listed in the Applicability section of this Directive have an operating time limit of 10 years from the date of manufacture.  From June 2006 this limit was no longer recorded in the Maintenance Program (PRE), and therefore post June 2006, container assemblies that have exceeded the 10-year limit may not have been replaced. 

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

16 October 2008