FAA Proposes AD for AS350 Hydraulic System

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter AS350 helicopters. Prompted by an in-flight fire caused by ignition of hydraulic fluid leaking from a damaged forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hose, the proposed AD is intended to prevent the forward servo-control hydraulic hoses from becoming damaged and leaking hydraulic fluid that could ignite in flight, which can result in loss of main rotor control, power loss, structural damage, propagation of fire and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.