EASA SIB 2018-05: Penny & Giles Aerospace Limited - Multi-Purpose Flight Recorders

What to do

EASA recommends that owners and operators follow the actions specified in Penny & Giles Aerospace Limited Service Bulletin No. D51615-31-22 dated February 2018. These recommendations are informational and not mandatory. Stakeholders should consult the service bulletin for detailed guidance and contact Penny & Giles Aerospace Limited or EASA Safety Information Section for further technical support if needed.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin No. 2018-05 is an informational bulletin concerning Penny & Giles Aerospace Limited multi-purpose flight recorders (MPFRs) installed on helicopters. It addresses corrosion issues found on memory device pins in certain second generation "GEN2" memory modules manufactured between 06 April 2006 and 02 January 2013. The bulletin clarifies that this corrosion issue does not currently require mandatory airworthiness or operational directives.

What changed

This bulletin introduces information about corrosion detected on memory device pins inside MPFRs recovered from crash-damaged helicopters submerged in water. It highlights that the corrosion is linked to a chemical reaction involving fire insulation material and the iron content of the pins, affecting only certain GEN2 memory modules. The bulletin also notes that newer GEN3 memory modules use improved coatings that prevent this corrosion.

Why it matters

This information is important for aviation professionals because corrosion on flight recorder memory pins can delay data recovery during accident investigations, potentially impacting the timeliness and effectiveness of safety analyses. Operators and maintenance organizations need to be aware of the affected MPFR units to manage potential risks and ensure proper handling of flight recorders. Understanding that this issue does not currently mandate regulatory action helps prioritize maintenance and operational decisions accordingly.