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.