AD NUMBER: 2019-17-02

PRODUCT: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters.

ACTION: Final Rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: This AD requires inspecting certain part-numbered actuators for corrosion, and removing them from service as necessary.

This AD also requires reporting certain information to Airbus Helicopters.

This AD is prompted by a hard landing of a helicopter and discovery of a ruptured and displaced tie bar inside the piston of the longitudinal single-axis actuator of the main rotor actuator (MRA).

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 25, 2019. Comments must be received by November 12, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 311 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. (Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.)

• Inspecting the single-axis actuators takes about 2 work-hours for an estimated cost of $170 per helicopter.
• Replacing a single-axis actuator takes about 7 work-hours and parts cost about $20,000, for an estimated cost of $20,595 per replacement.
• Reporting the required information takes about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter.

FMI: AD