EASA AD G-2021-0004: SURVITEC GROUP LIMITED - Life Raft - Inspection

What to do

Operators must perform the inspection and functional check of the Survitec Life Raft Heliraft 18R MK3 with packed assembly P/N 00051054 and 00051055 within 12 months of 5 July 2021, following the instructions in Survitec Alert Service Bulletin 25-197-A Version 1 or later. Any discrepancies found require removal and replacement of the affected life raft. Additionally, inspection results must be reported to Survitec within 30 days after completion.

Summary

Civil Aviation Authority Airworthiness Directive G-2021-0004 addresses inspection requirements for Survitec Group Limited Life Raft Heliraft 18R MK3 with packed assembly part numbers 00051054 (Port) and 00051055 (Starboard). This directive mandates a one-time inspection and functional check of these life rafts to ensure proper inflation and seam integrity. It applies specifically to life rafts manufactured by Survitec Group Ltd. t/a RFD Beaufort Ltd.

What changed

This new Airworthiness Directive introduces mandatory inspection and functional testing of the affected Survitec life rafts due to a discovered issue with seam rupture and inflation failure during deployment tests. It requires operators to inspect the life rafts within 12 months of the effective date and report results to the manufacturer. The directive also prohibits installation of affected parts unless they have passed the specified inspection and testing.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation safety as it addresses a potential failure of life rafts to inflate properly during ditching, which could jeopardize occupant safety. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure affected life rafts are inspected and any defective units are replaced promptly to maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance. Failure to comply could result in unsafe conditions during emergency evacuations.