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 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) : 

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 (formerly EUROCOPTER FRANCE, AEROSPATIALE). 

Applicability: All AS350 BA helicopters, all serial numbers fitted with emergency flotation 

gear including the container assemblies listed below and for which an 

operating time limit extension has 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 assembly 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): therefore 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 flotation gear container 

being operated beyond its operating time limit. 

This AD requires the replacement of the affected container assemblies at the 

time limits specified in EUROCOPTER Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 

No. 25.01.02. 

Effective Date: 24 October 2008 
EASA 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 EUROCOPTER 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 assemblies were manufactured between 10 

and 12 years ago; 

- no later than 10 years and 2 months 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 equipment 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 Service 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 & Research Section, Certification 

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 .