Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17302 · Emergency flotation section
Eurocopter France Helicopters
This AD applies to Model AS350BA helicopters with AERAZUR left-hand emergency flotation gear container assembly (container assembly), part number (P/N) 158170 or 158210-1, or right-hand container assembly, P/N 158171 or 158215-1, installed, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350BA helicopters with certain AERAZUR emergency flotation gear container assemblies installed. This AD requires replacing each affected emergency flotation gear container assembly (container assembly) at specified time limits based on the date of manufacture. This AD was prompted because container assemblies with an intended operating limitation of 10 years may not have been replaced because the limit is no longer recorded in the Maintenance Program. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of the emergency container assembly because of age and subsequent damage to the helicopter and injury to the occupants after an emergency water landing.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(1) Determine the manufacturing date of each part-numbered container assembly stamped on the cover of the identification plate.
(2) Replace each container assembly with an airworthy container assembly as follows:
(i) For a container assembly with a date of manufacture 12 or more years before the effective date of this AD, replace within 30 days.
(ii) For a container assembly with a date of manufacture 10 or more years and less than 12 years before the effective date of this AD, replace within 60 days.
(iii) For a container assembly with a date of manufacture 9 or more years and less than 10 years before the effective date of this AD, replace before reaching 10 years and 60 days.
(iv) For a container assembly with a date of manufacture less than 9 years before the effective date of this AD, replace before reaching 10 years.
