AD NUMBER: 2017-25-17

PRODUCT: Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2011-27-08 for the aircraft listed above.

AD 2011-27-08 required repetitively inspecting each elevator assembly for a crack. This new AD retains the initial inspection interval and adds a repetitive borescope inspection.

This AD is prompted by the discovery of another crack on an elevator assembly since AD 2011-27-08 was issued.

COST: The FAA estimates  that this AD will affect 14 helicopters of U.S. Registry.

At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD.

Inspecting the elevator assemblies with a magnifying glass will require 3 work-hours for a cost of $255 per helicopter and $3,570 for the U.S. fleet. Drilling an access hole will require 1 work-hour and required parts cost would be minimal, for a cost of $85 per helicopter and $1,190 for the U.S. fleet.

Inspecting with a borescope will require 1 work-hour for a cost of $85 per helicopter and $1,190 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle. If required, replacing a cracked elevator assembly will require 10 work-hours and required parts will cost $23,905 for a cost per helicopter of $24,755.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 4, 2018.

FMI: AD