EASA AD No. 2011-0072 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/3

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2011-0072 

Date: 20 April 2011 

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with 

Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and 

of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of 

that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate 

an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency 

[EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

EUROCOPTER

Type/Model designation(s) : 

AS 350 and AS 355 helicopters 

TCDS Number : EASA.R.008, EASA.R.146 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 25 Equipment & Furnishings – Emergency Flotation Gear 

Attachment Brackets – Inspection / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale) 

Applicability: AS 350 B, AS 350 BA, AS 350 BB, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3 and 

AS 350 D helicopters, all serial numbers, and 

AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N and AS 355 NP 

helicopters, all serial numbers, 

if equipped with fixed parts of the emergency flotation gear. 

Reason: Several reports have been received of finding cracks on the attachment 

brackets of the emergency flotation gear, which appear to be due to stress 

corrosion. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could, in case of emergency 

landing on water, lead to rupture of the emergency flotation gear attachment 

brackets, no longer ensuring the float stability of the helicopter, possibly 

resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury to the occupants. 

For the reasons described above, and pending the development and 

availability of a Eurocopter modification, this AD requires repetitive 

inspections of the emergency flotation gear attachment brackets and 

depending on findings, replacement. 

This AD is considered an interim action and further action may follow. 

Effective Date: 04 May 2011 
EASA AD No. 2011-0072 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/3

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within the time indicated in Table 1 of this AD, inspect the attachment 

brackets of the emergency flotation gear in accordance with the 

instructions of paragraph 3 of Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.63 or 

AS355 ASB 05.00.58, as applicable to helicopter type. 

Table 1 – Initial Inspection 

Date of statement of 

conformity on the data 

plate of the helicopter: 

Compliance Time: 

03/2011 or before within the 110 flight hours or 3 months, 

whichever occurs first after the 

effective date of this AD 

04/2011 or later within 13 months after the date of 

statement of conformity, as specified 

on the data plate of the helicopter 

(2) After the initial inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, at 

intervals not exceeding 13 months, repeat the inspection of the 

attachment brackets of the emergency flotation gear in accordance with 

the instructions of paragraph 3 (except paragraph 3.B.2.a.) of 

Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.63 or AS355 ASB 05.00.58, as applicable 

to helicopter type. 

(3) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) 

of this AD, cracks are found, before next flight, replace the affected 

bracket in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3 of Eurocopter 

AS350 ASB 05.00.63 or AS355 ASB 05.00.58, as applicable to 

helicopter type. 

(4) From the effective date of this AD, do not install emergency flotation 

gear attachment brackets with Part Number (P/N) 158172, P/N 158173, 

P/N 158288, or P/N 158289 which have logged flight hours on any 

helicopter, unless the attachment bracket has passed the inspection in 

accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3.B.2. of Eurocopter 

AS350 ASB 05.00.63 or AS355 ASB 05.00.58, as applicable to 

helicopter type. 

(5) Installation of a new bracket with (P/N) 158172, P/N 158173, P/N 

158288, or P/N 158289, does not constitute terminating action for the 

repetitive inspection required in paragraph (2) of this AD. 

Ref. Publications: EUROCOPTER AS350 ASB No. 05.00.63 Revision 1, dated 18 April 2011. 

EUROCOPTER AS355 ASB No. 05.00.58 Revision 1, dated 18 April 2011. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can accept 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. The required actions and the risk allowance have granted the issuance 

of a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the public 

consultation process after publication. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness 

Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification 
EASA AD No. 2011-0072 

EASA Form 110 Page 3/3

Directorate, EASA. E-mail ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: EUROCOPTER (STDI) - Aéroport de Marseille 

Provence 13725 Marignane Cedex - France. 

Tel: +33 (0) 4 42 85 97 97 - Fax: +33 (0) 4 42 85 99 66. 

E-mail: Directive.technical-support@eurocopter.com.