Press Release

Issued by European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

July 9, 2013

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published today an Airworthiness Directive which approves and mandates the technical solution proposed by Eurocopter for its EC225 fleet. The objective is to fix the unsafe condition created by the shaft failure of two EC225 helicopters in the North Sea in 2012.

The Eurocopter solution comprises of a set of modifications and inspections which aim at monitoring and detecting vertical shaft crack conditions and reducing the likelihood of any shaft crack initiation. When complied with, this solution ensures safe and airworthy operations of the EC225 type.

EASA will continue to work closely with Eurocopter, with the relevant National Aviation Authorities and the accident investigators to ensure that the fleet is operated safely, and may update its directive based on further investigation results.