Hand Fire Extinguisher (HFE) / Check of the absence of discharge of the HFE
- Published
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators should inspect each affected L’HOTELLIER HFE with part number 12085-01 manufactured before July 2022 following the instructions in the referenced Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletins. Any corrective actions identified should be completed promptly to ensure the extinguisher is fully operational. There is no mandatory compliance deadline, but timely action is recommended to maintain safety.
Summary
EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2023-11 is an airworthiness bulletin addressing the Hand Fire Extinguisher (HFE) manufactured by L’HOTELLIER, part number 12085-01 (S262A10T1001), installed on various Airbus Helicopters models including AS 350, AS 355, EC 130, EC 155, SA 365, AS 365, EC 120, EC 175, SA 341, and SA 342. The bulletin highlights issues with HFEs manufactured before July 2022 that may have unintentional discharge due to production defects. It provides guidance on checking for absence of discharge to ensure firefighting capability is maintained.
What changed
This new bulletin introduces awareness of production deficiencies in certain HFEs that can cause inadvertent release of extinguishing agent despite no visible damage or safety pin removal. It references multiple Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletins issued in November 2022 that provide instructions for a one-time inspection and corrective actions. The bulletin does not mandate regulatory action but recommends compliance with these service instructions.
Why it matters
This information is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent impaired cabin firefighting capability caused by undetected partial discharge of HFEs. Early identification and correction of affected units help maintain safety standards and avoid potential firefighting failures during emergencies. Compliance teams should note that this bulletin does not currently require an Airworthiness Directive but should be considered for risk mitigation.
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