AD NUMBER: 2017-26-04

PRODUCT: Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-25-07 for the product listed above. AD 2009-25-07 required amending the rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS) and pre-flight checking the emergency flotation gear before each flight over water.

Since AD 2009-25-07 was issued, Airbus Helicopters developed a terminating action and identified an additional part-numbered emergency floatation gear part with the unsafe condition.

This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-25-07, expands the applicability, and adds a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

COST: The FAA estimates this AD will affect 53 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, the cost of revising the limitations section of the RFMS and of the pre-flight functional check is negligible. Replacing the float arm pushbutton will require about 2 work-hours, and required parts cost about $311, for a cost per helicopter of $481 and a total cost of $25,493 to the U.S. fleet.

DATES: This AD is effective January 24, 2018.

FMI: AD