EASA AD No.: 2008-0189

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

## EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2008–0189

Date: 10 October 2008

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 participat e 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 a ccomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may opera te an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD unless otherwise specified by the Age ncy [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) exemptio n].


### Type Approval Holder’s Name :
EUROCOPTER Type/Model designation(s) :
AS350 helicopters

TCDS Number : EASA.R.008

Foreign AD : Not applicable

Supersedure : None



### ATA 25 Equipment and Furnishings - Emergency Flotation Gear – Replacement

Manufacturer(s): EUROCOPTER (formerl y EUROCOPTER FRANCE, AEROSPATIALE).

Applicability: All AS350 BA helicopters, all se rial numbers fitted with emergency flotation gear including the container assemblies listed below and for which an operating time limit extension ha s not been already granted by the equipment manufacturer AERAZUR: - Left hand (LH) container assembly P/N 158170 or P/N 158210-1 and - Right hand (RH) container asse mbly P/N 158171 or P/N 158215-1.
Reason: The emergency flotation gear container assemblies listed in the Applicability section of this AD have an operating time limit of 10 years from the date of manufacture. As of June 2006, this limit is no longer recorded in the Maintenance Program (PRE): ther efore after June 2006 container assemblies having already exceeded the 10-year limit could have not been replaced yet. The floating performance of a helicopter may prove to be insufficient in the event of ditching, in case of failure of an emergency flot ation gear container being operated beyond its operating time limit. This AD requires the replacement of t he affected container assemblies at the time limits specified in EUROCOPTER Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 25.01.02.

Effective Date: 24 October 2008EASA AD No.: 2008-0189

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s): Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:
1. In accordance with EUROCO PTER ASB No. 25.01.02, replace the container assemblies: - within 30 days after the effective date of this AD if the container

assemblies were manufactured 12 years ago or more; - within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, without exceeding 12

years and 1 month since the equipment date of manufacture (whichever occurs first) if the container as semblies were manufactured between 10 and 12 years ago; - no later than 10 years and 2 mont hs since the equipment date of

manufacture if the container assemblies were manufactured between 9 and 10 years ago; - no later than 10 years since the e quipment date of manufacture if the

container assemblies were manufactured less than 9 years ago. 2. A possible non-recurring definite extension to the operating time limit of the container assemblies installed on a helicopter can be obtained returning them to the equipment manufacturer for examination. 3. From the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on a helicopter container assemblies manufactured 10 years ago or more, unless they are returned to the equipment manufacturer for examination and have obtained a non-recurring definite extension to the operating time limit.
4. From the effective date of this AD, no person shall either continue operation or install on a helicopter container assemblies with operating time limit extensions granted by the equipment manufacturer if the extension time limit has already expired.

Ref. Publications: EUROCOPTER Alert Se rvice Bulletin No. 25.01.02 Rev. 0 dated 24 September 2008. The use of later approved revisions 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 Airworthiness Directives, Safety Management & Re search Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail ADs@easa.europa.eu

. 4. For any question concerning the tec hnical content of the requirements in this AD, please contac t: 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

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