Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-12838 · Eurocopter France Model EC120B, EC 155B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model EC120B, EC 155B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 Helicopters
Model EC120B, EC155B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters, with a SIREN load release unit (cargo hook), part number (P/N) AS21-5-1 through -7, and a cargo hook serial number less than 415, installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. This AD requires determining the load release unit (cargo hook) serial number, measuring the clearance between the locking catch and the cargo hook, and removing unairworthy cargo hooks from service. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of a defect on certain cargo hooks that may prevent load release. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of a cargo hook to release a load creating an additional hazard in an emergency situation and subsequent loss of control of a helicopter.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.