SAIB SW-09-49

FAA Aircraft Certification Service

SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION BULLETIN SAIB: SW-09-49 SUBJ: Eurocopter AS350BA Emergency Floats Date: 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.

For Further Information Contact

Gary Roach, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Rotorcraft Standards Staff, ASW-111, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76137; phone: (817) 222-5130; fax: (817) 222-5961; e-mail:

Gary.B.Roach@FAA.gov.

For Related Service Information Contact

American Eurocopter Product Support at 1-800-232-0323.