AD 2011-25-01 Airworthiness Directives; Apical Industries, Inc., (Apical) Emergency Float Kits

The helicopter models, certificated in any category, with an Emergency Float Kit with a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N), installed by a supplemental type certificate (STC), as follows:   Kit P/N Kit S/N Affected helicopter model STC No. 614.3001 080 and below Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) 407 SR01535LA 614.3003 133 and below Bell 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 SR01535LA 614.3007 014 and below Bell 206A and B SR01535LA 614.7601 045 and below Bell 210, 212, 412, 412CF, 412EP, AB412, and AB412EP SR01779LA 634.2901 012 and below Bell 427 SR01813LA 644.1801 031 and below Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh (Eurocopter) EC135 SR01855LA 20430-300 009 and below Eurocopter BO-105A, C, S, LS A-1 and LS A-3 SR00856LA

Within 180 days, unless accomplished previously. To install placards to aid in locating and deploying liferafts to prevent further injury or loss of life in the event of a helicopter landing in the water, do the following: (a) Install the Liferaft External Inflation Handle Placard, P/N 600.0897, shown in Figure 1 of Apical Industries Inc. Alert Service Bulletin SB2008-01, Revision A, dated March 3, 2010 (ASB), on the crosstubes or fuselage near the external T-Handles, as shown for two model helicopters in Figures 2 and 3, by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 1.0, paragraphs 1 through 5, of the ASB. (b) Remove the Liferaft Operation Placard, P/N 634.9703, Revision N/C through B, as shown in Figure 4 of the ASB, and install Liferaft Operation Placard, P/N 634.9703, Revision C, as shown in Figure 5, above all aircraft exits, inside the aircraft in plain view. (c) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Venessa Stiger, Aviation Safety Engineer, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (562) 627-5337, fax (562) 627-5210, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. (d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Codes are 2564: Liferaft and 3212: Emergency Flotation Section. (e) The modification shall be done in accordance with the specified portions of Apical Industries Inc. Alert Service Bulletin SB2008-01, Revision A, dated March 3, 2010. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Apical Industries, Inc., 2608 Temple Heights Drive, Oceanside, California 92056-3512, telephone (760) 724-5300, fax (760) 758-9612, http://www.apicalindustries.com/. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137 or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 17, 2012. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 18, 2011. Lance T. Gant, Acting Manger, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-30925 Filed 12-12-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P