AD/ECUREUIL/39 - Cargo Hook Emergency Manual Control - CANCELLED

This document cancels an old aviation safety rule about helicopter cargo hooks.

What it cancelled The original directive (from 1987) required owners of Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) helicopters to modify cargo hooks fitted with "Siren release units." The modification—specified in Service Bulletin No. 25.31—added an emergency manual control so pilots could release cargo manually if the normal system failed.

What this means now As of 30 July 2009, that modification is no longer required. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority cancelled the directive because it had served its purpose (all affected aircraft likely underwent the modification decades ago) and the rule was obsolete.

Who is affected Operators and maintenance organisations responsible for Eurocopter AS 350 series helicopters. They can disregard the previous cargo hook modification requirement, though any modifications already completed remain valid.