Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, EC120B, and EC130B4 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a short-circuit due to foreign object debris (FOD) or dust inside the lighting and ancillaries control unit (LACU). This AD requires repetitively cleaning and inspecting the affected LACU for FOD. Depending on the configuration of the helicopter, this AD also requires modifying the emergency floatation system (EFS) activation switches and revising the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter, which would constitute a terminating action for the repetitive cleaning and inspection requirements. Additionally, this AD prohibits installing an affected LACU on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.