Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
SW-09-49
September 1, 2009
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts owners
and operators of Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model helicopters of
the potential of having the incorrect emergency float system installed
on a helicopter that has been converted to a Model AS350BA.
Background
Eurocopter has issued Service Bulletins that allow either a Model
AS350B or AS350D to be converted to a Model AS350BA. This conversion
increases the maximum gross weight from 4,300 lbs. to 4,630 lbs. There
is concern that some operators may have converted their aircraft to the
Model AS350BA, which has a higher gross weight, and did not change the
emergency float system. Landing in the water with an aircraft weighing
4,630 lbs. on a float system designed for 4,300 lbs. could cause the
aircraft to be unstable in the water. For aircraft that have been
converted to the model AS350BA and have emergency floats installed, the
float system needs to be approved for the Model AS350BA in order to
conform to Type Design.
Recommendations
We recommend that owners/operators of Eurocopter Model AS350BA
helicopters that were converted from a Model AS350B or AS350D check
their emergency float system and ensure that it is approved to the
Model AS350BA Type Design. Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin
No. 01.00.59, dated November 20, 2008, related to this subject.