AD 2017-26-04 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France)

This AD supersedes AD 2009-25-07, Amendment 39-16126 (74 FR 65682, December 11, 2009).

(1) Before further flight, amend the EC120B Rotorcraft Flight Manual Supplement (RFMS) for the Aerazur emergency flotation gear, by inserting a copy of this AD into the Limitations section of the RFMS or by making pen and ink changes to that section to add the information in Figure 1 to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD: Figure 1 to Paragraph ( f )(1)—Amendment to RFMS   Arm the emergency flotation gear by pressing the LACU “FLOAT ARM” pushbutton. —If both lights of the pushbutton remain lit, flight over water is permitted. —If one or both lights of the pushbutton do not remain lit, FLIGHT OVER WATER IS PROHIBITED. (2) Before each flight over water: (i) Perform a functional check to determine whether flight over water is permitted under the Limitations section in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. For purposes of this AD, “flight over water” means flight beyond the power-off gliding distance from shore. “Shore” is an area of land adjacent to the water and above the high water mark but does not include land area that is intermittently under water. The actions required by this paragraph may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate, and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (ii) If the LACU fails the functional check required by paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this AD, place a placard over the “float arm” pushbutton that reads “INOP.” (3) Within 300 hours time-in-service, replace float arm pushbutton P/N 045004A111A with float arm pushbutton P/N 304-2500-00. Installing float arm pushbutton P/N 304-2500-00 is terminating action for the functional check and placard required by paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (f)(2)(ii) of this AD. (4) Do not install float arm pushbutton P/N 045004A111A on any helicopter.

(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.

You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.

This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a “float arm” pushbutton, which could result in inoperative floats being used in an emergency water ditching, causing damage to the helicopter or injury to occupants.