EASA AD No.: 2011-0190

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2011-0190 

Date: 30 September 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 365, EC 155, SA 365 and SA 366 helicopters 

TCDS Number : DGAC France No. 159 

Foreign AD: Not Applicable 

Supersedure: None 

ATA 53 Fuselage – Fuel Draining System – Modification 

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

Applicability: EC 155 B, EC 155 B1 and SA 366 G1 helicopters, all serial numbers, except 

those which embody modification 365A084485.00 or modifications 0753C98 

and 0745C96. 

SA 365 N, SA 365 N1, AS 365 N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters, all serial 

numbers, except those which embody: 

‐ modifications 0753C98 and 0745C96 and, if a 6th fuel tank is installed, 

modification 365A081003.00, or 

‐ modification 365A084485.00 and, if a 6th fuel tank is installed, modification 

365A081003.00. 

Reason: Closure of fuel tank drains with plugs has been implemented during production 

on AS 365, EC 155, SA 365 and SA 366 helicopters to fulfil emergency 

buoyancy needs. 

It has been identified that this closure disregards compliance with an 

airworthiness certification requirement. 

In case of fuel leakage in flight, a closed fuel drain creates the risk of fuel 

accumulation and/or migration to an adjacent area. This area can contain 

electrical equipment susceptible of constituting a source of ignition. 

This condition, if not corrected, could result in ignition of fuel vapours, resulting 

in a fire and consequent damage to the helicopter, or injury to its occupants. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires modification of the draining 

system of fuel tank compartments. 

Effective Date: 14 October 2011 
EASA AD No.: 2011-0190

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within the compliance time specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable to 

helicopter configuration, modify the fuel tank draining system in 

accordance with the accomplishment instructions of Eurocopter 

Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS365 No. 53.00.50 revision 1, 

EC155 ASB No. 53A031 revision 1 or AS366 ASB No. 53.11 revision 1, as 

applicable to helicopter version. 

Table 1 

Helicopter configuration Compliance time

(after the effective date of this AD) 

equipped with emergency 

buoyancy Fixed Parts (FP) 

within 24 months 

not equipped with buoyancy FP within 110 flight hours 

(2) Modification of a helicopter accomplished before the effective date of this 

AD, in accordance with Eurocopter AS365 ASB No. 53.00.50, EC155 ASB 

No. 53A031 or AS366 ASB No. 53.11 at original issue, as applicable to 

helicopter version, is acceptable to comply with the requirements of 

paragraph (1) of this AD for that helicopter. 

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter AS365 ASB No. 53.00.50 revision 1, dated 21 September 2011. 

Eurocopter EC155 ASB No. 53A031 revision 1, dated 21 September 2011. 

Eurocopter AS366 ASB No. 53.11 revision 1, dated 21 September 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 approve 

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 Safety Information 

Section, Executive 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. 

Telephone +33 (0) 4 42 85 97 97, Fax +33 (0) 4 42 85 99 66 

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