AD NUMBER: 2017-22-05

PRODUCT: Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-15-03 for the helicopters listed above.

AD 2013-15-03 required inspecting the hydraulic pump drive pulley bearing (bearing) for leaks, rust, overheating, and condition. This new AD adds a requirement to grease the bearing and inspect for bronze particles in the grease, and changes the inspection and inspection intervals of the bearing until it is replaced with an improved bearing. This AD was prompted by additional reports of hydraulic pump drive belt failure caused by bearing seizures.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 729 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work hour. Based on these estimates, we expect the following costs:
Greasing and visually inspecting the bearing requires 1.5 work hours and no parts are needed. The estimated total cost is $128 per helicopter and $93,312 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
Inspecting and manually rotating the bearing requires 2 work hours, and no parts are needed. The estimated total cost is $170 per helicopter and $123,930 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
Replacing the bearing requires 2 work hours and $1,571 for parts, for a total cost of $1,741 per helicopter and $1,269,189 for the U.S. fleet.
Replacing the hydraulic pump drive assembly requires 2 work hours and $8,543 for parts, for a total cost of $8,713 per helicopter and $6,351,777 for the U.S. fleet.

DATES: This AD is effective December 11, 2017

FMI: AD