The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
FAA Aviation Safety
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Fuel System SAIB: SW-17-23 Date: August 24, 2017 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises registered owners and operators of Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3 helicopters with an Arriel 2D engine of an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR03931NY that installs a crash-resistant fuel system that complies with the latest safety standards.
Installation of the STC is not required to correct an unsafe condition, but installation will reduce the risk of post-crash fires and improve occupant survivability in an accident.
Background
On November 2, 1994 fuel system crash resistance became a regulatory requirement in Section 27.952 of 14 CFR part 27. The regulation applied only to newly type-certificated Part 27 rotorcraft, however, and the Airbus Model AS350B3 helicopters were not required to meet these standards.
The design features of STC SR03931NY increase the level of safety in the event of a survivable crash by either decreasing the likelihood or delaying the onset of post-crash fire. The features minimize crash-induced fuel leaks and their contact with potential fuel ignition sources both during and after the crash, and increase the time occupants have available to egress before a post-crash fire could become critical.
The FAA and industry continue to cooperate to improve post-crash fire protection. In November 2015, the FAA published a Notice in the Federal Register tasking the aviation rulemaking advisory committee (ARAC) to provide recommendations for improving occupant protection in rotorcraft. The tasking included post-crash fire protection improvements for both newly manufactured rotorcraft and the existing fleet. In January 2017, the FAA tasked the ARAC with the next phase to provide recommendations on implementing existing post-crash fire protection standards on newly manufactured rotorcraft and on the existing fleet of rotorcraft. The ARAC will provide their recommendations for newly manufactured rotorcraft in January 2018. The final ARAC report that will include recommendations for the existing rotorcraft fleet is due in July 2018.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends that all owners and operators of Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3 helicopters with an Arriel 2D engine (marketed as a Model AS350B3e helicopter) incorporate STC SR09391NY.
2 For Further Information, Contact
Stephen Barbini, Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas, 76177; phone: (817) 222-5110; fax: (817) 222-5961; e-mail:
stephen.barbini@faa.gov.
Registered aircraft it may concern
Registry models matched by Airbus Helicopters AS-350B3, the same way as ADs, with the most registered aircraft first.