Easa Airworthiness Directive: AD No.: 2011-0072

EASA AD No.
2011-0072
EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
AD No.: 2011-0072
Date: 20 April 2011
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 EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.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].
Type Approval Holder’s Name : Type/Model designation(s) :

EUROCOPTER AS 350 and AS 355 helicopters
TCDS Number : EASA.R.008, EASA.R.146
Foreign AD : Not applicable
Supersedure : None
Equipment & Furnishings – Emergency Flotation Gear

ATA 25
Attachment Brackets – Inspection / Replacement
Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale)
Applicability: AS 350 B, AS 350 BA, AS 350 BB, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3 and
AS 350 D helicopters, all serial numbers, and
AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N and AS 355 NP

helicopters, all serial numbers,
if equipped with fixed parts of the emergency flotation gear.
Reason: Several reports have been received of finding cracks on the attachment
brackets of the emergency flotation gear, which appear to be due to stress
corrosion.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could, in case of emergency

landing on water, lead to rupture of the emergency flotation gear attachment
brackets, no longer ensuring the float stability of the helicopter, possibly
resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury to the occupants.
For the reasons described above, and pending the development and
availability of a Eurocopter modification, this AD requires repetitive
inspections of the emergency flotation gear attachment brackets and
depending on findings, replacement.
This AD is considered an interim action and further action may follow.
Effective Date: 04 May 2011
EASA Form 110 Page 1/3

EASA AD No. 2011-0072
Required Action(s) Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

and Compliance
Time(s): (1) Within the time indicated in Table 1 of this AD, inspect the attachment
brackets of the emergency flotation gear in accordance with the
instructions of paragraph 3 of Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.63 or
AS355 ASB 05.00.58, as applicable to helicopter type.
Table 1 – Initial Inspection
Date of statement of Compliance Time:

conformity on the data
plate of the helicopter:
03/2011 or before within the 110 flight hours or 3 months,

whichever occurs first after the
effective date of this AD
04/2011 or later within 13 months after the date of

statement of conformity, as specified
on the data plate of the helicopter
(2) After the initial inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, at
intervals not exceeding 13 months, repeat the inspection of the
attachment brackets of the emergency flotation gear in accordance with
the instructions of paragraph 3 (except paragraph 3.B.2.a.) of
Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.63 or AS355 ASB 05.00.58, as applicable
to helicopter type.
(3) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (1) or paragraph (2)
of this AD, cracks are found, before next flight, replace the affected
bracket in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3 of Eurocopter
AS350 ASB 05.00.63 or AS355 ASB 05.00.58, as applicable to
helicopter type.
(4) From the effective date of this AD, do not install emergency flotation
gear attachment brackets with Part Number (P/N) 158172, P/N 158173,
P/N 158288, or P/N 158289 which have logged flight hours on any
helicopter, unless the attachment bracket has passed the inspection in
accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3.B.2. of Eurocopter
AS350 ASB 05.00.63 or AS355 ASB 05.00.58, as applicable to
helicopter type.
(5) Installation of a new bracket with (P/N) 158172, P/N 158173, P/N
158288, or P/N 158289, does not constitute terminating action for the
repetitive inspection required in paragraph (2) of this AD.
Ref. Publications: EUROCOPTER AS350 ASB No. 05.00.63 Revision 1, dated 18 April 2011.
EUROCOPTER AS355 ASB No. 05.00.58 Revision 1, dated 18 April 2011.
The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for

compliance with the requirements of this AD.
Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can accept

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.
2. The required actions and the risk allowance have granted the issuance
of a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the public
consultation process after publication.
3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness
Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification

EASA AD No. 2011-0072
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.
Tel: +33 (0) 4 42 85 97 97 - Fax: +33 (0) 4 42 85 99 66.
E-mail: Directive.technical-support@eurocopter.com.

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EASA AD No.

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

Date: 20 April 2011

Type Approval Holder’s Name : Type/Model designation(s) :

TCDS Number : EASA.R.008, EASA.R.146

Foreign AD : Not applicable

Equipment & Furnishings – Emergency Flotation Gear

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

AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N and AS 355 NP

if equipped with fixed parts of the emergency flotation gear.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could, in case of emergency

This AD is considered an interim action and further action may follow.

Effective Date: 04 May 2011

EASA Form 110 Page 1/3

Required Action(s) Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Table 1 – Initial Inspection

Date of statement of Compliance Time:

03/2011 or before within the 110 flight hours or 3 months,

04/2011 or later within 13 months after the date of

EUROCOPTER AS355 ASB No. 05.00.58 Revision 1, dated 18 April 2011.

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can accept

EASA Form 110 Page 2/3

Directorate, EASA. E-mail ADs@easa.europa.eu.

EASA Form 110 Page 3/3

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