ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. 05A011 Page 1/10

 2009.06.08

 

This document is available on the internet: www.eurocopter.com/techpub 

 EUROCOPTER

DIRECTION TECHNIQUE SUPPORT

13725 MARIGNANE CEDEX FRANCE CIVIL VERSION(S): B 

 

 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN 

No. 05A011 

SUBJECT: TIME LIMITS - MAINTENANCE CHECKS

Emergency floatation gears: periodic check of the floats with intervals in 

hours

ATA: 25

REVISION No. DATE OF APPROVAL DATE OF ISSUE 

 

Revision 0 On: June 04, 2009 2009.06.08 

 

 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. 05A011 Page 2/10

 2009.06.08

 

1. PLANNING INFORMATION 

1.A. EFFECTIVITY 

1.A.1. Helicopters/installed equipment 

Helicopters equipped with emergency floatation gear installation comprising: 

- LH floatation gear, part number 215674-0 or 215674-1 or 215674-2, fitted with float part number 215481-0, 

- RH floatation gear, part number 215675-0 or 215675-1 or 215675-2, fitted with float part number 215482-0. 

1.A.2. Non-installed equipment 

Emergency floatation gear installations comprising: 

- LH floatation gear, part number 215674-0 or 215674-1 or 215674-2, fitted with float part number 215481-0, 

- RH floatation gear, part number 215675-0 or 215675-1 or 215675-2, fitted with float part number 215482-0. 

1.B. ASSOCIATED REQUIREMENTS 

Not applicable. 

1.C. REASON 

The purpose of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN is to define a periodic check with intervals in hours for the 

floats listed in paragraph 1.A. 

This ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN will form the subject of an EASA Airworthiness Directive. 

1.D. DESCRIPTION 

During overhaul of an emergency floatation gear installation, it was impossible for the repair center 

maintenance technicians to inflate the RH float in accordance with the instructions of the equipment 

manufacturer’s manual. 

The investigations conducted by the repair center demonstrated that there was a puncture in one of the 

compartments of the RH float and damage to several areas of the LH and RH floats due to contact with the 

protruding sections of the supply bars and banjo unions. 

Pending a modification that will prevent the float fabric covering from chafing on the protruding sections of 

the emergency gear floatation installation, EUROCOPTER makes the repeated check (intervals in hours) of 

the emergency floatation gear floats mandatory. 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

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1.E. COMPLIANCE 

EUROCOPTER renders compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN mandatory. 

1.E.1. Compliance at the works 

1.E.1.a. On helicopters 

Not applicable. 

1.E.1.b. On non-installed equipment 

Not applicable. 

1.E.2. Compliance in service: By the operator 

1.E.2.a. On helicopters/Installed equipment 

- For emergency floatation gears that have logged more than 250 flying hours since first installation on a 

helicopter or since their last overhaul. 

. Comply with paragraph 2. no later than within 50 flying hours without exceeding 1 month following 

receipt of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN, issued on the date indicated at the foot of the page. 

Then, 

. Comply with paragraph 2. at intervals not exceeding 300 flying hours following first compliance with this 

ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN. 

- For emergency floatation gears that have logged less than 250 flying hours since first installation on a 

helicopter or since their last overhaul. 

. Comply with paragraph 2. no later than within 300 flying hours following first installation on a helicopter 

or their last overhaul. 

Then, 

. Comply with paragraph 2. at intervals not exceeding 300 flying hours following first compliance with this 

ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN. 

NOTE

The overhaul of emergency floatation gears is scheduled 

at 18 months according to the Maintenance Program (MSM). 

1.E.2.b. On non-installed equipment 

Comply with paragraph 1.E.2.a. before installation on a helicopter. 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. 05A011 Page 4/10

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1.F. APPROVAL 

Approval is limited to civil version helicopters subject to an Airworthiness Certificate. 

1.F.1. Approval of modifications 

Not applicable. 

1.F.2. Approval of the Service Bulletin 

The technical information given in this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN was approved 

on June 04, 2009 under the authority of EASA Design Organisation Approval No. 21J.056. 

1.G. MANPOWER 

1.G.1. Qualification

EUROCOPTER recommends that compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN be ensured by 

qualified personnel as follows: 

- 1 Mechanical Engineering Technician. 

1.G.2. Time for the operations 

The operation times are given for information purposes only and for a standard configuration. 

Time for the operations: approximately 6 hours for 1 emergency floatation gear installation. 

1.H. WEIGHT AND BALANCE 

Not applicable. 

1.I. EFFECT ON ELECTRICAL LOADS 

Not applicable. 

1.J. SOFTWARE MODIFICATION EMBODIMENT RECORD 

Not applicable. 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

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1.K. REFERENCES 

The documents required for compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN are as follows: 

Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM): 

- AMM: Task 25-67-00,3-3: Folding - Floats. 

- AMM: Task 25-67-00,4-1: Removal/Installation - Emergency floatation gear. 

- AMM: Task 25-67-00,6-3: Inspection - Fittings. 

- AMM: Task 25-67-00,6-4: Inspection - Floats. 

1.L. OTHER DOCUMENTS AFFECTED 

Not applicable. 

1.M. TOOLING AFFECTED 

Not applicable. 

1.N. INTERCHANGEABILITY AND MIXABILITY OF PARTS 

Not applicable. 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

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2. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 

2.A. GENERAL 

The operational procedure described below is applicable to both the LH and RH emergency floatation gear, 

only the operations on the RH floatation gear are described. 

2.B. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE 

2.B.1. Preliminary steps 

- Remove the emergency floatation gear as per AMM Task 25-67-00,4-1. 

- Install the assembly on a clean and well-lit surface protected with a plastic film. 

2.B.2. Procedure (Figure 1) 

- Undo the Velcro tapes and remove the break laces. Remove the caps from the cover ends. 

- Unfold the cover. 

- Inspect the float areas (see examples Figure 1) in contact with the emergency floatation gear protruding 

parts (supply bar, banjo union, fittings...) to make sure that these areas show no signs of deterioration: 

NOTE

In paragraph D.1.d. of AMM Task 25-67-00,6-4, read "lightly 

inflate the float to a pressure < 50 hPa" instead of "inflate the 

float to a pressure > 50 hPa". The AMM will be updated later. 

. if any deterioration is found: 

- check the float for correct condition as per AMM Task 25-67-00,6-4. 

- check the fittings for correct condition as per AMM Task 25-67-00,6-3. 

- inform EUROCOPTER of the result of these checks at the following address: 

Hydraulics.Technical-Support@eurocopter.com

. if no deterioration is found, leave as is. 

- Fold the float as per AMM Task 25-67-00,3-3. 

2.B.3. Final steps 

- Install the emergency floatation gear as per AMM Task 25-67-00,4-1. 

2.C. IDENTIFICATION 

2.C.1. Identification of modifications in the documentation 

2.C.1.a. Helicopters/Installed equipment 

Record first compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN in the helicopter documents and on the log 

card of the float checked. 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

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2.C.1.b. Non-installed equipment 

Record first compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN on the log card of the float checked. 

2.C.2. Identification of modifications on equipment 

Not applicable. 

2.D. OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS 

Not applicable. 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. 05A011 Page 8/10

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Figure 1: Examples of deteriorations of the float due to contact with the 

protruding parts of the emergency floatation gear installation 

 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. 05A011 Page 9/10

 2009.06.08

 

3. MATERIAL INFORMATION

3.A. MATERIAL: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY 

3.A.1. Prix 

Not applicable. 

3.A.2. Availability 

Not applicable. 

3.B. INFORMATION CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT 

Not applicable. 

3.C. MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR EACH HELICOPTER/ENGINE/COMPONENT 

3.C.1. Kits or components to be ordered for one helicopter or one assembly 

Not applicable. 

3.C.2. Material to be ordered separately 

The materials identified by an asterisk "*" or required for compliance with the Tasks and/or Work Cards listed in 

paragraph 1.K., can be ordered from the INTERTURBINE company: 

Website: http://www.itlogistics.de

Phone: +49.41.91.809.300 

AOG: +49.41.91.809.444. 
 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN EC120 

Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. 05A011 Page 10/10

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3.D. PROCUREMENT CONDITIONS

Order the required quantity (unless otherwise specified) 

from 

EUROCOPTER 

Etablissement de Marignane 

Direction Ventes et Relation Client 

ECR 

13725 MARIGNANE CEDEX 

FRANCE 

NOTE 1

For ALERT SERVICE BULLETINS, order by: 

Telex: HELICOP 410 969F 

Fax: +33 (0)4.42.85.99.96. 

NOTE 2

On the purchase order, please specify the mode of transport, 

the destination and the serial numbers of the helicopters to be 

modified. 

4. APPENDIX 

Not applicable.