AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

CAA-AD-T-073/2001

Date of issue: August 13, 2001

HELICOPTER - CARGO HOOK - INSPECTION

Applicability: The following helicopter types:

- SA 330 F, G a J

- AS 332 C, C1, L, L1 a L2

- AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB a D

- AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 a N

- AS 365 N, N1, N2 a N3

- EC 120 B

- EC 155 B

equipped with SIREN load release units.

Effective date: Upon receipt.

Compliance: Required as indicated in DGAC AD 2001-318(A).

Remarks: The compliance of this AD must be recorded in Aircraft Logbook, where applicable the requirements of this AD must be integrated into Aircraft Technical Documentation. Address inquiries concerning this AD to: Civil Aviation Authority, Airworthiness Division, Ruzyne Airport, 160 08 Prague 6, Czech Republic, tel: 420 2 33320922, fax: 420 2 20562270.

Ing. Pavel MATOUŠEK

Director of Airworthiness Division

CAA CZ

DGAC AD No.: 2001-318(A)

EUROCOPTER

SIREN Load Release Units (ATA 01, 25)

1. EFFECTIVITY:

The following helicopter types:

- SA 330 F, G a J

- AS 332 C, C1, L, L1 a L2

- AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB a D

- AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 a N

- AS 365 N, N1, N2 a N3

- EC 120 B

- EC 155 B

equipped with SIREN load release units.

2. REASON:

This Airworthiness Directive is issued following the discovery of an anomaly on the locking catch which might lead to jamming of the ring on the cargo hook of the load release unit and to jeopardize the release of an underslung load.

3. MANDATORY ACTIONS AND COMPLIANCE TIME:

The following actions are rendered mandatory from the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive:

3.1 Before the next flight with use of SIREN AS21-5 (1 to 7) load release units having a serial number below 415, check clearance "J" in compliance with the instructions described in paragraph 2.A of the referenced EUROCOPTER Alert Telexes.

If clearance "J" is equal to or more than 14 mm, it is forbidden to fly with the load release unit.

If clearance "J" is less than 14 mm, no action connected with the existing clearance is required.

3.2 Before each flight with use of any type of SIREN load release units (including types AS21-5 (1 to 7), check the dimension of the rings in compliance with the instructions described in paragraph 2.B of the referenced Alert Telexes.

REF.:

EUROCOPTER Alert Telexes:

SA 330: No. 01.00.60

AS 332: No. 01.00.66

AS 350: No. 01.00.49

AS 355: No. 01.00.47

AS 365 N: No. 01.00.53

EC 120: No. 04A004

EC 155: No. 04A001

EFFECTIVE DATE:

On receipt from JULY 25, 2001