Inadvertent Deployment of Crash Position Indicator (CPI) Beacon

FAA Aircraft Certification Service SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Inadvertent Deployment of Crash Position Indicator (CPI) Beacon SAIB: SW-08-30R2 Date: July 1, 2008 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts you, owners and operators of Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332L1, AS332L2, AS365N3, EC155B1, and EC225LP helicopters, of uncontrolled deployment of the CPI 503 beacon in flight and on the ground.

Background

There have been several reports of inadvertent and uncontrolled deployment of the CPI 503 beacon, both in flight and on the ground. These conditions have been traced to two different causes: • On some Eurocopter Model AS332L1, AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters, the ELT water-activated switch is located in an area highly exposed to splashing water when the helicopter is cleaned and in rainy weather. This condition is leading to untimely deployment of the beacon. • On the Eurocopter Model AS332L1, AS332L2, AS 365 N3, EC155B1, and EC225LP helicopters, faulty electrical bonding can make the system sensitive to interference (radio waves, electrostatic discharges, etc.) and can cause unwanted deployment of the beacon. Also, the risk of an uncontrolled beacon deployment is increased during hoisting or sling operations, due to electrostatic discharges that may occur if the cable contacts the ground.

Recommendations

• Due to the potential consequences of an inadvertent or uncontrolled deployment of a CPI beacon due to location and/or type of water activated switch, we recommend that you follow the procedures in Eurocopter EC225 ASB No. 25A023 or Eurocopter AS332 ASB No. 25.01.89, as applicable to your helicopter. Both of these ASBs are dated April 16, 2008. • Also, due to the potential consequences of an inadvertent or uncontrolled deployment of a CPI beacon as a result of faulty electrical bonding, we recommend that you follow the procedures in Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletins (EASB) AS332 No. 25.01.97, EC225 No. 25A028, AS365 No. 25.00.91, or EC155 No. 25A087, as applicable to your helicopter. All of the EASBs are dated May 26, 2008.

For Further Information Contact

George Schwab, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA Safety Management Group, ASW-112, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76193; phone: (817) 222-5114; email: [email protected].

For Related Service Information Contact

American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.