Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 1 of 11

All Rights Reserved 2608 TEMPLE HEIGHTS DRIVE OCEANSIDE, CALI FORNIA 92056-3512 PH: (760) 724-5300 FAX: (760) 758-9612 Website: apicalindustries.com

Alert Service Bulletin

Document Number: SB2010-03

Date: 12/21/11

Revision: C

Effective Models: Helicopter Models with Apical Emer gency Float Kits approved under
STC SR01535LA:

Kit P/N Kit Description Kit S/N Effectivity Helicopter

Model
614.3001 Float with Liferafts Kit 096 and below Bell 407

614.3003 Float with Liferafts Kit 145 and below Bell 206L, L-1, L-3, L-4

614.3004 Float Kit 011 and below Bell 407

614.3006 Float Kit 008 and below Bell 206L, L-1, L-3, L-4

614.3007 Float with Liferafts Kit 015 and below Bell 206A, B 614.3008 Float Kit 004 and below Bell 206A, B

NOTE This bulletin is sent to the oper ators of record for the model

aircraft as shown above. If an aircraft has been leased or sold, send this service bulletin to the new operator.REF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 2 of 11

All Rights Reserved Subject: Inspection of Port Fitting Hose Routing

Background: During a recent incident involvi ng a helicopter with the subject STC installed, the pilot attempted to deploy t he floats as designed. Although the Inflation Valve released the pressurized gas normally, the floats did not deploy evenly, including a rupture of the Right Hand Mid Float.

It was determined that the caus e for the uneven deployment was incorrect installation of the float inflation hoses at the Port Fitting located at the base of the forward crosstube saddles. A subsequent inspection of one operat or’s fleet discovered more instances of

incorrect hose installation.

In order to remedy this, Apical is requiring a mandatory inspection of the float hose Port Fitting connection and the installation of a port fitting adapter and a replacement Aft Float Hose Assy to prevent the possibility of a future case of improper routing.

Action: This ASB provides instructions for the inspection of the float inflation hoses, the installation of a Port Fitting Adapter on the Port Fitting, and a replacement of the hose leading to the Aft Float.

Compliance: Compliance with Section 1.0 and 2.0 of this ASB shall be within 45 flight
hours from the date of approval of the ASB. Complianc e with Sections 3.0 through 5.0 shall be accomplished no later than 07/01/12. If compliance with Section 1.0 and 2.0 was done previously under an earlier revision of this document, it is not necessary to repeat those steps, but reporting this comp liance to Apical shall be accomplished. Report compliance and the resu lts of the inspection to Lisa Mansfield at Apical ( lmansfield@apicalindustries.com , (760) 724-5300) for each serial number aircraft affected by this ASB.

Manpower: Compliance should take approximately 1 hour.

Material Information: There are no special tools requi red for compliance. The label and shrink tubing referenced in this bulletin can be obtained from commercially available sources or from Apical Industrie s. The additional co mponents can be sourced by referencing the table in Section 6.0. Please contact Apical at (760) 724-5300 or Manny Gonzalez or Lisa Mansfield in sales ( mgonzalez@apicalindustries.com or lmansfield@apicalindustries.com ).

Weight & Balance: Accomplishment of this ASB resu lts in no change to the weight of
the kits shown in the Effe ctive Models section.

Publications Affected: The Installation Instructions and the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness for each kit in the Effective Models section will be revised to reflect the inspection procedures specific to the float inflation hoses.REF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 3 of 11

All Rights Reserved Approval: The resultant modifications descri bed in the Accomplishment Instructions have been shown to comply with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and have been approved by the Los Ange les Certification Office on December 21, 2011.

Accomplishment Instructions:

CAUTION

Prior to working around charged cylinders, make sure that the safety pin is installed in the pull cable housing of the In flation Valve. Also, make sure that the cylinder is secured tightly to the Reservoir Assembly Brackets, if installed on the helicopter. Install a cap plug on all disconnected hoses to prevent debris from entering the lines.

1.0 Float Inflation Hose Inspection

1. Reference Figure 1 through Figure 2 for the following instructions.

2. Locate the Port Fittings (F/N 29, 40, 106, or 107) at t he LH and RH forward crosstube saddles (reference Figure 1). The Port Fittings should be in good condition, free of corrosion, and not ben t. Any instance of corrosion that has penetrated the base material more than .010 inches is cause for replacement. Any instance of damage that has remo ved more than .010 inches of base material is cause for replacement. Any bends in the tubing from their original position of more than 5 degrees may pr event the Port Fitting Adapter from sealing properly. It is acceptable to carefully bend the port fitting back to its originally intended position to enable proper sealing of the Port Fitting Adapter.REF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 4 of 11

All Rights Reserved Figure 1: Port Fitting location

3. Inspect the position of the float infl ation hoses. The Mid Float inflation hose should be connected to the 90 degree bend in the Port Fitting. The Aft Float
inflation hose should be connected to the st raight portion of t he Port Fitting.

Figure 2: Port Fitting in Good Condition, LH Shown, Typical All Models To Mid

Float

To Aft
Float To Fwd

Float

FWD Port Fitting Location, RH

Shown, LH

TypicalREF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 5 of 11

All Rights Reserved 2.0 Label Installation (Typical All Models)

1. Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 for the following instructions.

2. Make sure that the Port Fitting is cl ean and free of debris. In stall a label with the dimensions and wording shown in Figure 3 on the straight portion of the Port Fitting as shown in Figure 4. Cover t he label with clear shrink tubing meeting M23053/5-108-C or its equivalen t. Apply the shrink tubing by heating uniformly until the tubing is completely sealed against the Port Fitting. If not commercially available, the label and sh rink tubing can be purchased directly from Apical.



## AFT FLOAT

0.75 BLACK LETTERS

0.25 WHITE BACKGROUND

1. MATERIAL: .004 WHITE VINYL RUBBER
BASED SOLVENT ADHESIVE UV PRINT 1 MIL

CLEAR OVERLAMINATE ON TOP. 0.09

Figure 3: Label Deta il (Apical P/N 601.1764)

Figure 4: Label Installation, LH Shown, Typical RH Side

Parts List for Figure 4

Find Number Part Number Description Qty

1 601.1764 Label 2
2 601.1429 Shrink Tubi ng (M23053/5-108-C) 4” F/N 1
F/N 2

Existing Part Marking Label (REF)REF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 6 of 11

All Rights Reserved 3.0 Float Inflation Hose Removal

1. Disconnect the hose running to t he Aft Float at the Port Fitting.

2. Remove the Aft Float from the skid t ube by unfastening the 3 bolts attaching the girt to the skid tube. Disconnect the hose from the Aft Float th at is routed along
the inboard surface of the skid tube.

3. Disconnect the hose from the skid tube by unfastening the bolts and loop clamps attaching the hose to the skid tube as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Aft Float Hose View of RH Aft Float, Looking Outboard

4. The following table shows which Hose Assy part numbers will be removed.

Discard the removed hoses.

Hose Assemblies Requiring Removal Aircraft Type Hose Assy Part Number QTY Per Kit 206A, B 602.1417 2 206L, L-1, L-3, L-4 602.1420 2

407 602.1413 2 Remove hose
from skid tube

and Aft floatREF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 7 of 11

All Rights Reserved 4.0 Port Fitting Adapter Installation

3. Make sure that the sea ling surface of the Port Fitt ing is clean and free of debris. Install a Port Fitting Adapt er (P/N 614.8709) onto the st raight fitting on the Port Fitting as shown in Figure 6. Torque to 50-60 in-lbs.

Figure 6: Port Fitting Ad apter Correct Installation (LH Port Fitting Shown, RH Typical)

5.0 Aft Hose Installation

1. Attach the new Aft Float Hose to t he Aft float. Torque fitting to 50-60 in-lbs.

2. Attach the Aft Float to the skid tube us ing the same Bolts and Washers that were removed in Section 2.0. Replace the Nuts with those in the Service Bulletin Kit.

3. Attach the Hose to the Port Fitting A dapter. The replacement Hose should have
a male threaded end which interfaces with the female thread on the Port Adapter (see Figure 5).

4. Attach the Hose to the inboard edge of the skid tube using the same hardware that was removed in Section 2.0, and picki ng up the same attachment locations. Port Fitting Adapter (P/N 614.8907)

FWDREF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 8 of 11

All Rights Reserved Figure 7: Aft Floa t Hose Installation

5. Figure 8 through Figure 10 show the correct float hose routing

Figure 8: Bell 407 Port Fitting a nd Hose Routing, LH shown, RH Symmetrical

Parts List for Figure 8 Find Number Part Number Description Qty 19 602.1410 Hose Assy 2 20 602.1411 Hose Assy 2 29 614.8701 Port Fitting L.H. 1 35 602.1429 Hose Assy 2 40 614.8702 Port Fitting R.H. 1 Ref 602.1409 Hose Assy 2 Ref 602.1412 Hose Assy 4 To Aft FloatREF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 9 of 11

All Rights Reserved Figure 9: Bell 206A & B Port Fitti ng and Hose Routing, LH shown, RH Symmetrical

Parts List for Figure 9 Find Number Part Number Description Qty 63 602.1430 Hose Assy 2 69 602.1415 Hose Assy 2 70 602.1416 Hose Assy 2 106 614.8703 Port Fitting L.H. 1 107 614.8704 Port Fitting R.H. 1 Ref 602.1409 Hose Assy 2 Ref 602.1412 Hose Assy 4REF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 10 of 11

All Rights Reserved Figure 10: Bell 206L-L4 Port Fitti ng and Hose Routing, LH shown, RH Symmetrical

Parts List for Figure 10 Find Number Part Number Description Qty 19 602.1410 Hose Assy 2 29 614.8701 Port Fitting L.H. 1 32 602.1419 Hose Assy 2 33 602.1431 Hose Assy 2 40 614.8702 Port Fitting R.H. 1 Ref 602.1410 Hose Assy 2 Ref 602.1412 Hose Assy 4REF. DWG. NO. REPORT

614.3000 SB2010-03
ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Rev. C
12/21/11

Copyright 2010-2011 Apical Industries, Inc. Page 11 of 11

All Rights Reserved 6.0 Service Bulletin Kit Information

1. The table below provides the Service Bulletin kit information.

Service Bulletin Kit Information

Service
Bulletin Kit
Part Number Existing
Float Kit

Part
Number Bill of Materials

Comments Part
Number Description Qty

SB2010-03-1 614.3001

614.3004 602.1429 Hose Assy 2

Bell 407 614.8709 Port Fitting Adapter 2

601.0789 Nut (MS21043-3) 6

SB2010-03-2 614.3003

614.3006 602.1431 Hose Assy 2

Bell 206LSeries 614.8709 Port Fitting Adapter 2

601.0789 Nut (MS21043-3) 6

SB2010-03-3 614.3007

614.3008 602.1430 Hose Assy 2

Bell 206A, B 614.8709 Port Fitting Adapter 2

601.0789 Nut (MS21043-3) 6