Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17557 · Emergency flotation section
Eurocopter France Helicopters
(1) This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in any category:
(i) Model EC120B helicopters with a left-hand (LH) emergency flotation gear, part number (P/N) 215674-0, 215674-1, or 215674-2 installed, fitted with a float, P/N 215481-0; or with a right-hand (RH) emergency flotation gear, P/N 215675-0, 215675-1, or 215675-2 installed, fitted with a float, P/N 215482-0; and
(ii) Model EC130B4 helicopters with a LH emergency flotation gear P/N 217227-0 installed, fitted with a float P/N 217174-0; or with a RH emergency flotation gear P/N 217228-0 installed, fitted with a float, P/N 217195-0.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters with a certain emergency flotation gear (float) installed. This AD requires inspecting the float for chafing of the fabric covering and adding protectors to the float installation to prevent contact between the float and the protruding sections of the installation. This AD was prompted by a report of a float that would not inflate during overhaul because one of the float compartments was punctured due to chafing. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of float and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter during 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) For emergency flotation gear that have accumulated 250 or more hours time-in service (TIS), within 50 hours TIS, accomplish the following:
(i) Undo the Velcro tapes and remove the break laces. Remove the caps from the cover end. Unfold the cover.
(ii) Inspect each float area in contact with the emergency flotation gear protruding parts (supply bar, banjo union, and fittings) for chafing as shown in Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A011, Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009, or Eurocopter ASB No. 05A008, Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009, as appropriate for your model helicopter.
(iii) If there is any chafing between the protruding parts and the float fabric, before further flight, inspect the flotation gear.
(A) Unfold and visually inspect the float assemblies for any cuts, tears, punctures, or abrasion. Replace the cover if the internal polycarbonate sheet is cut or if the cover is cut or punctured.
(B) Lightly inflate the floats to approximately 50 hectopascals through the manual inflating valve and inspect the fabric panels and girts for any cuts, tears, punctures, or abrasion. If there is a cut, tear, puncture, or any abrasion, repair the float.
(2) For emergency floatation gear that have accumulated less than 250 hours TIS, on or before accumulating 300 hours TIS, inspect the float gear as described in paragraph (e)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD.
(3) Within 300 hours TIS:
(i) For Model EC120B helicopters, install protectors on and re-identify the P/N of each LH and RH emergency floatation gear as described in the Operating Instructions, paragraph 2.C., of Aerazur Service Bulletin (SB) No. 25-69-87, dated March 14, 2011. The Aerazur SB is attached as an appendix to Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC120-25A026, Revision 0, dated July 11, 2011.
(ii) For Model EC130B4 helicopters, install protectors on and re-identify the P/N of each LH and RH emergency floatation gear as described in the Operating Instructions, paragraph 2., of Aerazur SB No. 25-69-58, dated March 14, 2011. The Aerazur SB is attached as an appendix to Eurocopter ASB No. EC130-25A042, Revision 0, dated July 11, 2011.
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.
