FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 05005: Bell 407 with Rolls Royce 250 series IV engine and Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC).
In Brief
Why It Matters
On May 11, 2003, a Bell 407 helicopter was substantially damaged during an autorotative water landing in the Gulf of America, following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The airline transport pilot and his three revenue passengers were not injured.
Recommended Action
Directors of operations, training managers, and pilots involved in operations of the Bell 407 with Rolls Royce 250 series IV engine and FADEC should be aware of the content of this SAFO and of SAIB SW-05-70, and should implement operations and training as recommended in the SAIB. SAFOSafety Alert for Operators U.S.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: Flight Standards
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos___________ A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. Besides the specific action recommended in a SAFO, an alternative action may be as effective in addressing the safety issue named in the SAFO. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
Subject: Bell 407 with Rolls Royce 250 series IV engine and Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC).
Background: On May 11, 2003, a Bell 407 helicopter was substantially damaged during an autorotative water landing in the Gulf of America, following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The airline transport pilot and his three revenue passengers were not injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued the following recommendation to the FAA:
A-04-68. Conduct a review of the emergency procedure training for pilots of helicopters equipped with the Rolls-Royce Model 250 series IV engine to evaluate pilots’ propensity to take inappropriate action in response to an inflight failure of the FADEC system and require any necessary changes to emergency procedures and training to better prepare pilots to cope with inflight FADEC failures.
Discussion: In cooperation with the manufacturers, the FAA conducted a review of the pertinent training and developed Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) SW-05-70, issued July 21, 2005. That SAIB contains discussion of the FADEC and its characteristics during automatic transition from automatic mode to manual mode. Additionally, the SAIB contains recommendations for operations and effective training for pilots using this equipment. SAIB SW-05-70 may be downloaded at the following FAA public Web site:
https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts
Recommended Action: Directors of operations, training managers, and pilots involved in operations of the Bell 407 with Rolls Royce 250 series IV engine and FADEC should be aware of the content of this SAFO and of SAIB SW-05-70, and should implement operations and training as recommended in the SAIB.
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
SAFO 05005
DATE: 10/25/05
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 05005