AD NUMBER: 2018-02-08

PRODUCT: Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, and 205A-1 helicopters with a Helicopter Technology Company (HTC) main rotor (M/R) blade installed.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments

SUMMARY: This AD requires cleaning and visually inspecting the M/R blades, and depending on the outcome of the inspection, repairing or replacing the M/R blades. This AD is prompted by a report of an M/R blade with a fatigue crack in the grip plate and doublers at the blade retention bolt hole.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 1, 2018. Comments must be received on this AD by March 19, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 10 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these estimates, the FAA estimates the following costs:

• Cleaning and performing all inspections of a set of M/R blades (2 per helicopter) requires 0.5 work-hour for a cost of $43 per helicopter and $430 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
• Replacing an M/R blade requires 12 work-hours and parts cost $86,000 for a total cost of $87,020 per blade.
• Reporting the inspection results required by this AD will require about 0.5 work-hour for a cost of $43 per helicopter and $430 for the U.S. fleet per report

FMI: AD