This week, EASA has issued a new Emergency Airworthiness Directive for the Emergency Lubrication (EMLUB) system of the Eurocopter EC225. The original design of the EMLUB system guaranteed 30 minute of safe flight in the event of total loss of the dual oil lubrication system of the main gearbox. Investigations by EASA have revealed an area of the flight envelope in which the emergency lubrication Glycol pump’s performance is different to that assumed during certification.

It is important to note that EASA consider the likelihood of using the EMLUB is extremely low – with no total loss of oil lubrication encountered on the Super Puma fleet – but they do not consider that 30 minutes of safe flight is guaranteed.

So, pending a Eurocopter modification to the Glycol pump and EMLUB pressure switches, EASA recommend an immediate landing or ditching is required as soon as the EMLUB system is activated.

In parallel, Eurocopter issued EC225 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No 04A010 to provide updated Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) emergency procedures.

EASA AD number 2013-0113-E refers  (a 30KB PDF file)

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com