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

All Rights Reserved

2608 TEMPLE HEIGHTS DRIVE 

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA 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 Emergency 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 operators 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 involving a helicopter with the subject STC 

installed, the pilot attempted to deploy the 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 cause 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 operator’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. Compliance 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 compliance to Apical shall be accomplished. 

Report compliance and the results 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 required for compliance. The label 

and shrink tubing referenced in this bulletin can be obtained from commercially 

available sources or from Apical Industries. The additional components 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 results in no change to the weight of 

the kits shown in the Effective 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 described in the Accomplishment Instructions 

have been shown to comply with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and have 

been approved by the Los Angeles 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 Inflation 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 the LH and RH forward 

crosstube saddles (reference Figure 1). The Port Fittings should be in good 

condition, free of corrosion, and not bent. Any instance of corrosion that has 

penetrated the base material more than .010 inches is cause for replacement. 

Any instance of damage that has removed 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 prevent 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 inflation 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 straight portion of the 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 

Typical 
REF. 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 clean and free of debris. Install 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 the label with clear shrink tubing meeting 

M23053/5-108-C or its equivalent. Apply the shrink tubing by heating uniformly 

until the tubing is completely sealed against the Port Fitting. If not commercially 

available, the label and shrink 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 Detail (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 Tubing (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 the Aft Float at the Port Fitting. 

2. Remove the Aft Float from the skid tube by unfastening the 3 bolts attaching the 

girt to the skid tube. Disconnect the hose from the Aft Float that 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 float 
REF. 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 sealing surface of the Port Fitting is clean and free of debris. 

Install a Port Fitting Adapter (P/N 614.8709) onto the straight fitting on the Port 

Fitting as shown in Figure 6. Torque to 50-60 in-lbs. 

Figure 6: Port Fitting Adapter Correct Installation (LH Port Fitting Shown, RH 

Typical) 

5.0 Aft Hose Installation

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

2. Attach the Aft Float to the skid tube using 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 Adapter. 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 picking up the same attachment locations. 

Port Fitting Adapter 

(P/N 614.8907) 

FWD 
REF. 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 Float Hose Installation 

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

Figure 8: Bell 407 Port Fitting and 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 Float 
REF. 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 Fitting 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 4 
REF. 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 Fitting 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 4 
REF. 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 

Part Comments 

Number Description Qty 

SB2010-03-1 

614.3001 

614.3004 

602.1429 Hose Assy 2 

614.8709 Port Fitting Adapter 2 Bell 407 

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 

614.8709 Port Fitting Adapter 2 Bell 206A, B 

601.0789 Nut (MS21043-3) 6