Equipment / Furnishings – Cyclic Stick Grip UP/DOWN Hoist Control Switch – Operational Limitation / Rotorcraft Flight Manual – Amendment
Superseded. Comply with 2021-0023, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of Group 1 helicopters must install the required placard on the instrument panel and amend the Rotorcraft Flight Manual before the next hoist operation after 2020-10-08. Flight crews must be informed of these changes and operate the helicopter accordingly. Re-installation of affected parts and conversion of Group 2 helicopters to Group 1 must comply with the placard installation and manual amendment requirements prior to flight.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0217-E is an emergency directive issued for Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, D and AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 models. It addresses a safety issue related to the UP/DOWN switches for rescue hoist control installed on Dunlop cyclic stick grips with Part Number AC66444. The directive mandates operational limitations and amendments to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual to prevent unintended activation of the rescue hoist cable cutter function.
What changed
This directive introduces a requirement to install a cockpit placard prohibiting in-flight use of the affected rescue hoist control switches and to amend the Rotorcraft Flight Manual accordingly. It also allows re-installation of affected parts only if the placard and manual amendments are in place. Additionally, helicopters converted to have the affected parts must comply with these requirements before flight.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance personnel to prevent inadvertent activation of the rescue hoist cable cutter, which could cause detachment of external loads or persons, leading to serious injury. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and operational safety of the affected helicopters. It also provides clear instructions for managing affected parts and operational limitations to mitigate the identified risk.
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