AD NUMBER: 2008-04-05
MANUFACTURER: Eurocopter Deutschland
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-04-05
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland (Eurocopter) Model EC135 helicopters.

This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Technical Agent the Federal Republic of Germany, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI: During a flight a burning odour [sic] could be smelled in the cabin. Its reason was a short circuit in the LH cable channel, which was caused by a damaged wire harness. The wire harness was damaged by the side channel cover's attachment hardware.

The rubbing and chafing of the wiring harnesses in the tunnels underneath the channel cover, against the screws and rivetsattaching the channel covers, could lead to a short circuit of the wiring harness.

This AD requires actions that are intended to address this unsafe condition by preventing a short circuit resulting from a damaged wiring harness, which could subsequently lead to a fire in the helicopter.

FMI: www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/airworthiness_directives/