NTSB Issues Recommendation A-17-010 to Airbus Helicopters Regarding AS350 Hydraulic Systems
The National Transportation Safety Board has directed Airbus Helicopters to assess and implement changes to the dual hydraulic system on existing AS350-series helicopters to ensure pedal control assistance and mitigate pilot error risks.
Safety recommendation
The National Transportation Safety Board has directed Airbus Helicopters to assess and implement changes to the dual hydraulic system on existing AS350-series helicopters to ensure pedal control assistance and mitigate pilot error risks.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety recommendation, designated as A-17-010, addressed directly to Airbus Helicopters. This directive is associated with NTSB case number CEN15MA290. The core of the recommendation requires Airbus Helicopters to evaluate existing dual-hydraulic AS350-series helicopters. Specifically, the manufacturer must assess and implement necessary changes to the dual hydraulic system. These modifications are intended to achieve two primary safety objectives. First, the changes must ensure that pedal control hydraulic assistance remains fully functional. Second, the implementation must mitigate the possibility of pilot error occurring during any check of the hydraulic system. This recommendation highlights a specific focus on operational safety protocols for this helicopter series.