AD NUMBER: 2018-01-12

PRODUCT: Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3 helicopters.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-22-53 for the aircraft listed above.

AD 2015-22-53 required revising the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) to perform the yaw load compensator check after rotor shut-down and to state that the yaw servo hydraulic switch must be in the “ON” position before taking off.

Since AD 2015-22-53 was issued, Airbus Helicopters developed a modification of the ACCU TST switch. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2015-22-53 and requires modifying the yaw servo hydraulic switch (collective switch) and replacing the ACCU TST button.

DATES: This AD is effective February 20, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 86 helicopters of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per workhour.

• Revising an RFM would take about 0.5 work-hour for a cost of $43 per helicopter and $3,698 for the U.S. fleet.
• Installing a timer relay for the yaw servo hydraulic switch and an indicator light would take about 9 work-hours and parts would cost about $2,224.
• Replacing the ACCU TST button would take about 1 work-hour and parts would cost about $2,244.

Based on these figures, FAA estimates a total cost of $5,361 per helicopter and $461,046 for the U.S. fleet.

FMI: AD