Doors – Placards – Installation; Rotorcraft Flight Manual – Section Emergency Procedures – Amendment
Superseded. Comply with 2021-0101R2, 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 must amend the Rotorcraft Flight Manual within 30 days of the effective date by incorporating the applicable supplements and inform all flight crews accordingly. Modifications to install the external jettisoning system and placards must be completed within 12 months for EC 155 models and within 24 months for SA 365 and AS 365 models after the effective date of 2021-02-11. Compliance with the Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletins AS365-52.00.27 and EC155-52A033 is required to fulfill the AD.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0041 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus Helicopters SA 365, AS 365, and EC 155 models equipped with certain emergency flotation systems and specific cabin layouts. The directive addresses safety concerns related to emergency evacuation difficulties caused by impaired cockpit-to-cabin passages in helicopters with VIP interiors and bulkheads. It mandates modifications to improve evacuation by installing external jettisoning systems and placards, along with amendments to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual emergency procedures.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0041 introduces requirements for installing an external jettisoning system on affected SA/AS 365 helicopters, placards on SA/AS 365 and EC 155 helicopters, and updating the Rotorcraft Flight Manual with new ditching procedure supplements. This AD applies to helicopters without Airbus Helicopters modification MOD 0752C71 or MOD 0752C77 and with cabin layouts featuring passages smaller than a Type 4 passage. It is a new directive addressing a previously unmitigated evacuation hazard.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it ensures safer emergency evacuation procedures following a ditching with inflated floats, particularly for helicopters with VIP interiors that restrict cockpit-to-cabin access. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent evacuation delays that could result in occupant injury. Compliance also ensures adherence to continuing airworthiness requirements under EU regulations, avoiding regulatory penalties and enhancing passenger safety.
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