EASA AD No.: 2012-0206

TE.CAP.00110-002 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 1/2

Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2012-0206

Date: 02 October 2012

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 748/2012, Part 21.A.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].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

EUROCOPTER

Type/Model designation(s):

SA 365, AS 365, EC 155, AS 332 and EC 225 

helicopters

TCDS Number: DGAC France No. 159 and EASA.R.002

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: This AD supersedes EASA AD 2012-0084 dated 16 May 2012.

ATA 25 Equipment and Furnishings – EADS SOGERMA Flight Crew Seats

– Inspection / Replacement

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly EUROCOPTER France)

Applicability: SA 365 N, SA 365 N1, AS 365 N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155 B, EC 155 B1,

AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP

helicopters, all serial numbers, when equipped with EADS SOGERMA pilot

seat Part Number (P/N) 2510106-03-00 or P/N 2510106-06-00 with serial

number between 720 (inclusive) and 1451 (inclusive).

Reason: During a maintenance inspection, it was found that a weld bead was missing on 

the rear beam of a pilot seat supplied by EADS SOGERMA. The analysis has 

shown that this non-conformity, which impairs the seat anti-crash function, may 

be present on a limited number of seats installed on Eurocopter helicopters.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to pilot injury in case of 

helicopter hard landing following an emergency.

To address this unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2012-0084 to require

inspection of the flight crew seats, and replacement of any seat found 

improperly welded. This AD also required marking of all correctly welded seats.

Since issuance of EASA AD 2012-0084, it was discovered that a weld bead 

was missing on another part of the seat rear beam that was not required to be 

inspected.

To ensure that any welding discrepancy is detected and corrected, Eurocopter 

Alert Service Bulletins (ASB) AS365-25.01.18, ASB EC155-25A114, ASB 

AS332-25.02.49 and ASB EC225-25A110 have been revised to improve the 

inspection procedure and to add new areas to be inspected.
EASA AD No.: 2012-0206

TE.CAP.00110-002 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 2/2

Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.

For the reason described above, this AD requires to perform inspection of all 

welds of the rear beam of the seats in accordance with the latest ASB revision.

Effective Date: 16 October 2012

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 50 flight hours or 3 months, whichever occurs first after the effective 

date of this AD, inspect the rear beam of each pilot and co-pilot seat for 

correct welding in accordance with the instructions of Eurocopter ASB

AS365-25.01.18 Revision 1, ASB EC155-25A114 Revision 1, ASB AS332-

25.02.49 Revision 1, or ASB EC225-25A110 Revision 1, as applicable to 

the helicopter version.

(2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, improper 

welding is identified, before next flight, replace the affected seat with a 

serviceable seat in accordance with the instructions of Eurocopter ASB 

AS365-25.01.18 Revision 1, ASB EC155-25A114 Revision 1, ASB AS332-

25.02.49 Revision 1, or ASB EC225-25A110 Revision 1, as applicable to 

the helicopter version.

(3) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, correct 

welding of the seats rear beam is confirmed, before next flight, record 

application of the inspection on the identification plate of the seats with 

indelible ink pencil in accordance with the instructions of Eurocopter ASB 

AS365-25.01.18 Revision 1, ASB EC155-25A114 Revision 1, ASB AS332-

25.02.49 Revision 1, or ASB EC225-25A110 Revision 1, as applicable to 

the helicopter version.

(4) From the effective date of this AD, do not install an EADS SOGERMA 

pilot- or co-pilot seat P/N 2510106-03-00 or P/N 2510106-06-00 having a 

serial number between 720 (inclusive) and 1451 (inclusive), unless in 

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter ASB AS365-25.01.18, Revision 1 dated 09 August 2012.

Eurocopter ASB EC155-25A114, Revision 1 dated 09 August 2012.

Eurocopter ASB AS332-25.02.49, Revision 1 dated 09 August 2012.

Eurocopter ASB EC225-25A110, Revision 1 dated 09 August 2012.

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. This AD was posted on 21 August 2012 as PAD 12-112 for consultation 

until 18 September 2012. The Comment Response Document can be found 

at http://ad.easa.europa.eu.

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 (4) 42 85 97 97; Facsimile +33 (4) 42 85 99 66

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