Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21572 · Life raft
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2016-0028, dated February 15, 2016 (EASA AD 2016-0028).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that damage (scorch marks) was found on an internal life raft installation that contained a half rescue kit. This AD requires identifying the part number and serial number of each half rescue kit located in the internal life raft installation and, depending on the findings, inspecting the life raft for damage, inspecting the condition of the flashlight battery, testing the flashlight battery, and replacing the life raft or flashlight battery (including the leak test) as applicable, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2016-0028.
(1) Where EASA AD 2016-0028 refers to its effective date or to January 7, 2016 (the effective date of EASA AD 2015-0242), this AD requires compliance within 3 months after the effective date of this AD.
(2) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2016-0028 does not apply to this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2016-0028 specifies accomplishing corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of Zodiac Aerospace SB No. 025-64-13 referred to in paragraph 3.B of Airbus Helicopters ASB AS365-25.01.63, this AD requires using Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 025-64-13, Revision 0, dated November 23, 2015 or Revision 1, dated January 19, 2016.
(4) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2016-0028 specifies to return certain parts, this AD does not include that requirement.
(5) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2016-0028 specifies that trained and authorized Zodiac Aerospace personnel must do the inspection of the half rescue kit, this AD does not require that Zodiac Aerospace personnel do the inspection.
