Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD CF-2019-01

Standard Practices — Helicopter External Transport System (HETS—¢) - Unapproved Parts, Inadequate Service Life Limits and Maintenance Requirements

Published: Jan 10, 2019
Effective: Jan 22, 2019
Deadline: Jan 22, 2019
Replaces: 2014-26

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What to do

Operators must remove all RSH P/N RR01-100-00-00 components from service immediately upon the effective date and cease their installation. Within 14 days of the effective date, remove HETS™ components with unknown manufacturing dates or those exceeding overhaul limits. Remove components manufactured on or after January 1, 2013, within four years of manufacture. Conduct initial inspections within 12 months of manufacture and repeat annually, and update flight manuals with the specified Emergco supplements from the effective date. All inspections must be performed by approved maintenance organizations.

Summary

Airworthiness Directive CF-2019-01 is a Canadian regulatory document addressing the Helicopter External Transport System (HETS™) certified under Transport Canada Supplemental Type Certificate SH98-35 installed on specific helicopter models including Bell 206B, 206L series, 407, Airbus Helicopters AS350 and AS355 series, and MD Helicopter 369 and 500N series. The directive focuses on issues related to unapproved parts, inadequate service life limits, and maintenance requirements for HETS™ components. It mandates inspections, component removals, and flight manual amendments to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.

What changed

This directive supersedes AD CF-2014-26 and introduces mandatory removal of all Remote Safety Hook (RSH) part number RR01-100-00-00 from service and prohibits its installation. It requires removal of HETS™ components with unknown manufacturing dates or those exceeding specified overhaul intervals within 14 days of the effective date, and removal of components manufactured on or after January 1, 2013, within four years of manufacture. Additionally, it mandates initial and recurring inspections of HETS™ components and incorporation of specific flight manual supplements.

Why it matters

Compliance with CF-2019-01 is critical to prevent failure of HETS™ components which could lead to unintended release of external loads, posing significant safety risks. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must adhere to updated service life limits and maintenance procedures to maintain regulatory compliance and ensure safe helicopter operations. The directive clarifies approved configurations and removes unsafe components from service, thereby enhancing operational safety.

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