AD Number: AD/AS 355/87 Untimely Firing of Squibs 8/2005 TX

Applicability: AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters equipped with Goodrich electric hoist 76370- XXX fitted with any type of motor except Auxilec motors.

Requirement: 1. Deactivate the squib and affix placards in the cockpit and in the cabin near the hoist operator in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter Alert Telex (AT) No 25.00.84 dated 25 May 2005.

2. Comply with the operating instructions specified in paragraph 2.D of Eurocopter (AT) No 25.00.94.

3. Comply with the operating instructions specified in paragraph 2.B of Eurocopter (AT) No 25.00.94.

Note: DGAC UF-2005-087 refers (EASA 2005-4691).

Compliance: For requirement 1. - Before the next hoisting operation

For requirement 2. - Immediately following Requirement 1.

For requirement 3. - Prior to installing a hoist. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 June 2005.

Background: The French Direction de L’Aviation Civile has advised of the discovery of a potential risk of untimely squib firing which would cause the cable to be cut. Consequently the DGAC and Eurocopter has required the squib function to be inhibited, the manual cable cutter to be operated and operational procedures to be adapted.

FMI: http://casa.gov.au/airworth/airwd/NEW/urgent.htm