EASA AD 2021-0231
Equipment / Furnishings — Emergency Flashlight — Replacement
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0231 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency concerning Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters. It addresses the replacement of emergency flashlights installed on these helicopters due to a safety issue involving restricted collective lever movement caused by the flashlight strap entangling with the cargo hook emergency release lever.
What Changed
This new directive requires the replacement or modification of affected emergency flashlights with serviceable parts identified by new part numbers. It prohibits the installation of the old affected parts on any helicopter and mandates compliance within 12 months for helicopters currently equipped with the affected flashlights.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining safe helicopter operation by preventing potential control restrictions caused by emergency flashlight interference. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure affected parts are replaced or modified to avoid possible damage to the helicopter or injury to occupants, thereby ensuring continued airworthiness and regulatory compliance.
What To Do
Operators of MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters must replace or modify all affected emergency flashlights within 12 months from the effective date of 29 October 2021, following the instructions in Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 C-2-25A-021. Additionally, installation of any affected old part is prohibited from the effective date onward.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.