Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2008L01896:body:0:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2008L01896
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 5545–6739

this Directive.
             This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 May 2008.
Background:  Eurocopter has received several reports where the CPI 503 beacon deployed on the ground, without having been activated by the crew.  Such CPI beacon deployments are due to insufficient electrical bonding between the components of the CPI beacon and the structure of the helicopter that makes the system sensitive to electro-magnetic interference.

             Uncontrolled CPI beacon deployment creates a risk of injury for persons on the ground and in particular during hoisting or sling operation where electrostatic discharges may occur when the cable makes contact with the ground.

             For the reasons described above, this Directive requires, only for those helicopters configured for hoisting or sling operations:

                 - identification of the affected CPI 503 beacon components;

                 - inspection of the affected components by measurement of their electrical bonding feature, and

                 - replacement of any components that fail the bonding requirements.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

28 May 2008