Action Follows AS350 B3E Accident In Norway Which Fatally Injured Six People

EASA has issued an Emergency AD which applies to Airbus AS 350 B3E helicopters equipped with a SAFRAN Helicopter Engines (SAFRAN) ARRIEL 2D engine which having accumulated (on the effective date of this AD) less than 300 flight hours (FH) since first flight, and EC 130 T2 helicopters, all s/n, having accumulated (on the effective date of this AD) less than 300 FH since first flight.

An accident recently occurred with an AS 350 B3 helicopter, the root cause of which has not been identified and the technical investigation is still ongoing. As a precautionary measure, AH has issued the applicable ASB, providing instructions for a one-time visual inspection of the Main Gear Box (MGB) drive shaft installation.

Due to similarity of design, EC 130 T2 helicopters are also affected. This measure applies only to recently delivered helicopters.

For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the affected parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s) before the next flight of the aircraft.

The AD specifies the following actions

• Before next flight after the effective date of this AD, inspect the installation of the affected parts in accordance with the instructions of the applicable ASB. Corrective Action(s):
• If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, discrepancies are detected, as identified in the applicable ASB, before next flight, contact AH for approved corrective action instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly.
• Within 7 days after accomplishment of the inspection as required at paragraph (1) of this AD, report the results (including no findings) to AH. This can be done using the instruction provided in the applicable ASB.

Reuters reports that the AD is in response to an accident which occurred August 31 in Norway in which the pilot of the accident helicopter and five passengers were fatally injured.

There are about 400 affected helicopters flying worldwide, according to the report.

(Image from file. Not accident helicopter)

FMI: AD
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