Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11729 · Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J Helicopters
Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J helicopters with emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder, P/N ARZ 74921, with inflation head, part number (P/N) 74929, that has no serial number (S/N), or with a S/N lower than 12000, or has a union nut, P/N 75441 or 75834, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each inflation head and union nut on certain emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinders and replacing each cracked inflation head with an airworthy inflation head. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of cracked inflation heads during routine maintenance inspections of emergency flotation systems. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder from exploding with resultant high velocity shrapnel, which could cause airframe damage or personal injury and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent an emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder from exploding with resultant high velocity shrapnel, which could cause airframe damage or personal injury and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) For Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, SA330G, or SA330J helicopters,
(1) At the next scheduled emergency flotation gear maintenance inspection or 400 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever occurs first, accomplish the following:
(i) Discharge each emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder (cylinder) in accordance with the “Discharge Procedure for the 74921G Cylinder” in Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 05.66, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1998 or Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 05.58, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1998.
(ii) Remove the inflation head and degrease the assembly.
(iii) Perform a dye penetrant inspection of each inflation head and union nut on each emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder.
(2) Thereafter, conduct a dye penetrant inspection of each inflation head and union nut on each cylinder at each scheduled emergency flotation gear maintenance inspection or at intervals of not more than 400 hours TIS, whichever occurs first.
(b) For Model SA341G or SA342J helicopters,
(1) At the next scheduled emergency flotation gear maintenance inspection or 520 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first, accomplish the following:
(i) Discharge each emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder in accordance with the “Discharge Procedure for the 74921G Cylinder” in Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 05.19, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1998.
(ii) Remove the inflation head and degrease the assembly.
(iii) Perform a dye penetrant inspection of each inflation head and union nut on each cylinder.
(2) Thereafter, conduct a dye penetrant inspection of each inflation head and union nut on each cylinder at each scheduled emergency flotation gear maintenance inspection or at intervals of not more than 520 hours TIS, whichever occurs first.
(c) Before further flight, replace each cracked inflation head, P/N 74929, with an airworthy inflation head having S/N 12000 or higher.
