Crash Position Indicator CPI 503 series Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) - Limited Deployment Altitude
- Published
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Pilots should activate deployable ELTs only shortly before ground contact and avoid manual activation above 200 feet AGL. Manufacturers and installers are recommended to review and update system use descriptions in operation manuals and aircraft flight manuals accordingly. No mandatory compliance deadline is specified, but adherence to these recommendations is advised to ensure safety.
Summary
EASA Safety Information Bulletin SIB No. 2010-22 addresses the limited deployment altitude of the Crash Position Indicator CPI 503 series Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) installed on various helicopter models including Eurocopter EC 155 B1, EC 225 LP, AS 332 L1/L2, AS 365 N2/N3, Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 series, Agusta Westland A109 series, AB139, AW139, and Sikorsky S-61N, S-76 series, and S-92A helicopters. The bulletin highlights that these ELTs meet UK CAA specifications but do not fully comply with the JTSO/ETSO-2C126 EUROCAE ED-62 impact test criteria when deployed from high altitudes. A new model, P/N 503-16HT, has been developed to address this limitation.
What changed
The bulletin informs that the CPI 503 series ELTs should not be manually activated above 200 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) due to unpredictable shock impacts at higher altitudes. It introduces the P/N 503-16HT ELT model, which is qualified to meet the required impact specifications. The document also clarifies that no current certification criteria exist for ELT deployment at any altitude above ground.
Why it matters
This information is critical for pilots and operators to ensure ELT deployment is performed correctly to maximize search and rescue effectiveness. Incorrect activation at high altitudes could result in ELT damage or separation from the crash site, potentially delaying rescue operations. Maintenance and compliance teams must be aware of the limitations and new equipment to maintain airworthiness and operational safety.
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