# AD 81-15-02: Float Gear Mounting Brackets

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Airbus Helicopters AS350B, AS350C, AS350D and AS350D1 with STC SH2825SW or SH4032SW
- Effective: August 7, 1981
- Published: July 13, 1981
- Issued: July 13, 1981
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Rotorcraft
- Amendment: 39-4154
- Registered aircraft: 21 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FF01D26F2070A94286256A4E004AD21E.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-15-02

## The airworthiness directive

81-15-02 SOCIETE NATIONALE INDUSTRIELLE AEROSPATIALE (SNIAS): Amendment 39-4154. Applies to Models AS350B, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D-1 helicopters equipped with Air Cruisers' emergency flotation gear Model D24724 in accordance with STC SH2825SW (AS350C, AS350D, AS350D-1) or SH4032SW (AS350B), certificated in all categories (Airworthiness Docket No. 81-ASW-30).

Compliance required as indicated.

To prevent possible failure of the emergency float gear mounting brackets, P/N D16532- 2, D16625-3, and D16625-4, due to fatigue cracks, accomplish the following within the next 10 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

a. Conduct a dimensional inspection of the four float mounting brackets, in accordance with Figure 1 of Aerospatiale Helicopter Corp. Service Bulletin No. SB350-13, dated May 22, 1981, to determine which part number brackets are installed.

b. If machined brackets, P/N D16532-1, D16625-1, and D16625-2 are installed, no further action is necessary.

c. If cast brackets, P/N D16532-2, D16625-3, and D16625-4, are installed, remove and replace with machined brackets, P/N D16532-1, D16625-1, and D16625-2.

d. The helicopter may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a base where the inspection can be performed.

This amendment becomes effective August 7, 1981.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS H9EU](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/H9EU): Airbus Helicopters; names 4 of 10 models: AS350C, AS350B, AS350D1, AS350D

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 21 (21 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Aerospatiale 13, S N I A S 6, Eurocopter 1, Eurocopter France 1

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Aerospatiale AS350B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350b): 13 aircraft (airframe model)
- [S N I A S AS-350B ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-as-350b-ecureuil): 5 aircraft (airframe model)
- [S N I A S AS350D ASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-as350d-astar): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Eurocopter AS350B](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as350b): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Eurocopter France AS350B](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-france-as350b): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 5 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-15-02/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-15-02/aircraft.md

## Related documents

- [STC SH2825SW](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SH2825SW): Installation of AirCruisers Model D24724 emergency flotation gear.. Air Cruisers Company, Named in the applicability
- [STC SH4032SW](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SH4032SW): Installation of Air Cruisers Model D24724 emergency flotation gear.. Air Cruisers Company, Named in the applicability

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