Dear Madam/Sir,
Please find attached hereto an EASA Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) which has already been posted on
our web site and can be viewed at https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2018-13 .
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EASA SIB No.: 2018-13
Safety Information Bulletin
Airworthiness
SIB No.: 2018-13
Issued: 04 September 2018
Subject: Airbus Helicopters with Single Hydraulic Power System –
Hydraulic Emergency Procedure and Hydraulic Failure Training
Ref. Publications:
Airbus Helicopters (AH) Safety Information Notice (SIN) No. 3246-S-29.
Applicability:
All operators, flight crew, organizations providing training, and National Airworthiness Authorities
(NAA’s) approving training on the following rotorcraft models: AS 350 B, AS 350 BA, AS 350 BB,
AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3 and AS 350 D; and AS 355 E.
Description:
Various incidents and accidents have occurred during the training of the hydraulic failure
procedure on AH helicopters equipped with a single hydraulic power system. Further analysis has
shown that the majority of these events were the result of a loss of control at low speeds and/or
low altitude due to a lack of understanding of the procedures or a lack of compliance with the
training procedure described in Supplement 7 of the applicable Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM).
Prompted by these events, AH developed a training video, intended to be used by instructor pilots
and trainees as a tool to better understand and follow the hydraulic failure training procedure. A
link to the video and the relevant applicability remarks are provided in AH SIN No. 3246-S-29.
In addition to this video, AH has revised RFM Supplement 7 concerning the hydraulic failure
training procedure and also Section 3 of the basic RFM concerning the hydraulic emergency
procedures. Both revisions to the AS 350 B3e (commercial designation of a specific AS 350 B3
configuration) RFM have been approved by EASA. AH SIN No. 3246-S-29 shows the changes that
are introduced. The intent of these changes is to improve the pilot’s awareness of the risks
associated with the relevant procedures and better adhere to the operational limitations.
The applicable RFMs of the remaining models (see Applicability of this SIB) will be progressively
revised to be consistent with the AS350 B3e RFM and Supplement updates.
At this time, the safety concern described in this SIB is not considered to be an unsafe condition
that would warrant Airworthiness Directive (AD) action under Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part
21.A.3B.
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
TE.CAP.00117-006 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Page 1 of 2
Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
An agency of the European Union
EASA SIB No.: 2018-13
Recommendation(s):
EASA recommends the following:
- Organizations providing training on the affected helicopters are recommended to review the
video and check the content of the risk assessment.
- NAA’s approving training organizations are recommended to review the RFM changes, the
video and consider them for approvals/renewals/oversight.
- Instructor pilots and trainees are recommended to review the RFM changes and the video
before performing the hydraulic failure training procedure.
- According to Regulation (EU) 1178/2011, Part-FCL, Appendix 9, full flight simulators and other
training devices equally qualified to train hydraulic failure procedure, when available, shall be
used.
Contact(s):
For further information contact the EASA Safety Information Section, Certification Directorate.
E-mail:
[email protected].
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
TE.CAP.00117-006 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. ISO9001 Certified. Page 2 of 2
Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
An agency of the European Union