EASA AD No.: 2013-0205

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0205

Date: 09 September 2013

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 EU 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):

AS 355 helicopters

TCDS Number: EASA.R.146

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 28 Fuel – FUELTRON Flowmeter Installation – Removal

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

Applicability: ECUREUIL AS355 E, AS355 F, AS355 F1, AS355 F2 helicopters, all serial 

numbers with modification 350A070791 embodied in production (installation of 

the FUELTRON flowmeter), except those with modification 355A085801

embodied in production.

Reason: An occurrence has been reported where, after landing of an AS355 helicopter, 

an uncontrolled flame-out of engine No.1 occurred. Analysis results revealed 

that a particle contamination had obstructed the FUELTRON flowmeter. This 

contamination may have been introduced during refuelling of the helicopter.

The obstruction was due to the cross-section of the passage area of the

flowmeter being smaller than the meshes in the upstream fuel pump strainer. 

Consequently, the particles could pass through the strainer and then created 

the obstruction in the FUELTRON flowmeter. The affected FUELTRON 

flowmeter installation is identical on the two engines. 

This condition (simultaneous obstruction of both flowmeters for both engines),

if not detected and corrected, could lead to the flame-out of both engines in 

flight, possibly resulting in reduced control of the helicopter.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires to remove and disable the 

FUELTRON flowmeter installation.

This AD is considered an interim action, pending the development of a

modification.

Effective Date: 23 September 2013
EASA AD No.: 2013-0205

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished:

(1) Within 5 month or 750 Flight Hours, whichever occurs first after the 

effective date of this AD, accomplish the following actions concurrently in 

accordance with the instructions of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)

AS355-28.00.20:

(1.1) Remove the FUELTRON flowmeter Part Number (P/N) 704A37-670-

001 and modify the fuel system; and

(1.2) Disable the electrical wiring connections related to the flowmeter 

installation.

(2) From the effective date of this AD, do not install a FUELTRON flowmeter 

P/N 704A37-670-001 on any helicopter.

Note: Precautions to prevent fuel contamination during refuelling can be found 

in Eurocopter Information Notice No. 2145-I-28 and work card 20.07.02.208.

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter ASB AS355-28.00.20 dated 06 June 2013.

The use of later approved revisions of this document 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 20 June 2013 as PAD 13-085 for consultation until 

18 July 2013. No comments were received during the consultation period.

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) 12 85 97 97; facsimile +33 (4) 85 99 66;

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