EASA AD No.: 2013-0237-E

TE.CAP.00111-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 1/2 Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Co nfirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Int ranet. 

## EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0237-E

Date: 26 September 2013

Note: This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) i s issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the E uropean 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 EU 748/2012, P art 21.A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be en sured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Conseque ntly, no person may operate an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordan ce with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwi se 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, A rticle 14(4) exemption].


### Design Approval Holder’s Name:
EUROCOPTER Type/Model designation(s): AS 332 L1 and EC 225 LP helicopters

TCDS Number: EASA.R.002

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None



### ATA 25 Equipment and Furnishing – Emergency Flotation Gear – Inspection

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter Fr ance)

Applicability: EC 225 LP helicopters, all serial nu mbers, equipped with Emergency Flotation Gear, and AS 332 L1 helicopters, all serial numbers , equipped with Emergency Flotation Gear incorporating Eurocopter modificatio n MOD OP26277.

Reason: On several recently delivered EC225 helicop ters, an incorrect routing of the straps on the hinged rods of left-hand (LH) side an d right-hand (RH) side rear cradles of the emergency flotation gear installatio n was reported. The straps were routed over the hinged rods’ median plate inst ead of under it. Some AS 332 L1 helicopters (those incorporating MOD OP26 277) are equipped with an emergency flotation gear of similar design.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, coul d lead to failure of the hinged rods and straps upon deployment of the emergency fl otation gear during ditching and consequent unsafe positioning of the r ear floats, possibly resulting in helicopter capsizing. To address this potential unsafe condition, Eurocop ter issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 25A142 for EC 225 LP hel icopters, and ASB No. 25.02.76 for AS 332 L1 helicopters to provide inspe ction instructions. For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear LH and RH rear cradles and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

Effective Date: 28 September 2013EASA AD No.: 2013-0237-E

TE.CAP.00111-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 2/2 Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Co nfirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Int ranet. Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s): Required as indicated, unless accomplished previous ly: (1) Before the next overwater flight after the effe ctive date of this AD, inspect the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear LH and RH rear cradles in accordance with the instructions of Eurocopter EC22 5 ASB No. 25A142 or AS332 ASB No. 25.02.76, as applicable to the helico pter model. (2) If, during the inspection as required by paragr aph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy, as defined in Eurocopter EC225 ASB No. 25A142 or AS332 ASB No. 25.02.76, as applicable to the helicopter m odel, is detected, before the next overwater flight, accomplish all th e applicable corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of Euro copter EC225 ASB No. 25A142, or AS332 ASB No. 25.02.76, as applicable to the helicopter model.

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter EC225 ASB No. 25A142 original issue, dated 25 September 2013, Eurocopter AS332 ASB No. 25.02.76 original issue, d ated 25 September 2013. The use of later approved revisions of these docume nts is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EA SA can approve Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 2. The results of the safety assessment have indica ted the need for immediate publication and notification, without the full public consultation process. 3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred t o the Safety Information Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 4. For any question concerning the technical conten t 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

.