For a limited time, Airbus Helicopters’ U.S. subsidiary is offering a safety-enhancing modification kit free of charge to customers with dual-hydraulic AS350 B3 and B3e helicopters.
Customers with N-registered aircraft who place orders before Nov. 4, 2015, are eligible for the free kits for modification 07.4622. The modification provides a visual indication when the collective-mounted hydraulic switch is in the “OFF” position through a flashing “HYD2” light on the caution and warning panel (CWP).
According to a letter distributed to customers by Airbus Helicopters Inc., the kits required to retrofit an aircraft will depend on its configuration and can be determined through Service Bulletin AS 350-67.00.64. When placing their orders, customers must provide the serial numbers of the aircraft for which they are ordering the kits.
The modification is intended to help prevent pilots of dual-hydraulic AS350 helicopters from inadvertently taking off with their yaw servo isolation switches in the “OFF” position — an error has been implicated in at least one recent accident. The modification has been incorporated on new-build AS350 B3e (now called H125) helicopters for the past year, but must be retrofitted on existing dual-hydraulic aircraft.
Originally, the expense of the modification was borne by operators, with the kit costing approximately US$2,250, and a new CWP to accommodate the modification available at the list price of $4,597.74. Relatively few operators undertook the retrofit promptly. According to Airbus Helicopters Inc., 204 aircraft in the U.S. fleet are eligible for the modification, but only 54 kits had been ordered by July 28, with just 10 additional orders placed by Sept. 14.
Customers who have previously ordered or have already taken delivery of kits for mod 07.4622 are eligible for a credit, provided they notify their customer support managers by Oct. 16, 2015. Airbus Helicopters has not yet announced plans to make the kits available free of charge for customers outside of the U.S.
