Update on Contaminated Halon Investigation in Europe

According to the EASA and the Emergency Airworthiness Directive it appears that the Contaminated Halon is becoming a very serious issue in Europe. Below is the article from the EASA that describes the reasons and actions for correcting this Contaminated Halon in Europe. The Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom was the first to alert the proper authorities and companies about this safety issue.

EASA AD No.: 2009-0251-E
EASA Form 111 Page 1/3
EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
AD No.: 2009-0251-E
Date: 25 November 2009

Note: This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation. This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Type Approval Holder’s Name : Fire Fighting Enterprises Limited
Type/Model designation(s) : Portable Halon 1211 Fire Extinguishers
Approval Number : Various National approvals.
Foreign AD : Not applicable
Supersedure : None
ATA 26 Fire Protection – Portable Fire Extinguishers – Identification / Replacement
Manufacturer(s): Fire Fighting Enterprises Limited

Applicability:
Portable Halon 1211 (BCF) fire extinguishers, identified by Finished Goods (FG)
number and serial number (s/n) in Appendix 1 of this AD. These fire extinguishers are known to be installed (or carried/stowed on board) on, but not limited to, Airbus, Alenia, Boeing, Embraer, Fokker and SAAB transport aeroplanes, Pilatus, Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon) and
Vulcanair (formerly Partenavia) general aviation aeroplanes and Agusta and
Eurocopter helicopters.

Reason:
The Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom (UK) has informed EASA that significant quantities of Halon 1211 gas, determined to be outside the required specification, have been supplied to the aviation industry for use in fire extinguishing equipment. Halon 1211 (BCF) is used in handheld fire extinguishers, usually fitted or stowed in aircraft cabins. EASA published Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) 2009-39 on 23 October 2009 to make the aviation community aware of this safety concern. The results of the ongoing investigation now show that LyonTech Engineering Ltd, a UK-based company, has supplied a quantity of heavily contaminated Halon
1211 (BCF) to Fire Fighting Enterprises (FFE). This Halon 1211 has subsequently been used to fill certain FFE portable fire extinguishers that are now likely to be installed in or carried on board aircraft. The contaminated nature of this gas, when used against a fire, may lead to
release of toxic fumes, possibly causing injury to aircraft occupants. EASA AD No.: 2009-0251-E
EASA Form 111 Page 2/3 For the reason described above, this EASA AD requires the identification and removal from service of all affected fire extinguishers and replacement with
serviceable units.

Effective Date: 26 November 2009

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:
(1) Within two (2) days after the effective date of this AD, identify the FG number and s/n of the portable fire extinguisher(s) installed or carried on board the aircraft.
(2) If any portable fire extinguisher identified as required by paragraph (1) of this AD is listed in Appendix 1 of this AD, before next flight, remove it from the aircraft and replace it with a serviceable unit.
(3) From the effective date of this AD, do not install any portable fire extinguisher as identified in Appendix 1 of this AD on any aircraft, unless it has been serviced with Halon 1211 that has been verified to conform to the correct specification.

Ref. Publications: None

Remarks :
1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative
Methods of Compliance for this EAD.
2. The safety assessment has requested not to implement the full consultation
process and an immediate publication and notification.
3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness
Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification Directorate,
EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.
4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this
AD, please contact: Fire Fighting Enterprises Ltd, 9 Hunting Gate, Hitchin,
Hertfordshire SG4 0TJ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 845 402 4242
E-mail: sales@ffeuk.com, Website: http://www.ffeuk.com/

For a hard copy of this article visit: http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2009_0251E.pdf/EAD_2009-0251-E_1

Feel free to contact RemTec if you have any other questions or concerns: http://www.remtec.net/
1-800-372-1301