AD NUMBER: 2019-09-02

PRODUCT:  Bell Model 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters.

ACTION: Final Rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-17-01 for the aircraft listed above.

AD 2018-17-01 required replacing certain oil and fuel check valves and prohibited installing these valves on any helicopter.

This AD retains the requirements of AD 2018-17-01 but expands those requirements for all model helicopters. This AD was prompted by the discovery that we omitted a helicopter model from one of the required actions.

DATES: This AD is effective June 4, 2019. Comments must be received by July 5, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 186 (93 Model 212 and 93 Model 412) 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 work-hour, replacing one check valve (engine oil or fuel) will require about 1 work-hour and a parts cost of $85. For replacing four valves (two engine oil valves and two fuel valves), the FAA estimates a total cost of $680 per helicopter. According to Bell's service information some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals.

FMI: AD