Airbus Helicopters May Have Corroding Tail Rotors Problem
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own or operate Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G or SA342J, listen up! The FAA wants you to regularly check certain tail rotor parts for rust and replace them if needed to keep flying safe. Comments on this plan are open until March 3, 2025, and following these rules might cost some time and money but will keep your chopper in top shape.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory repeated flange inspections
If you own or operate an Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G or SA342J, you must repetitively inspect the inclined and horizontal tail-rotor drive shaft flanges for corrosion and replace the inclined or horizontal drive shaft if corrosion is found, in accordance with EASA AD 2023-0168 (incorporated by reference). The proposed rule applies to all affected helicopters certificated in any category and is intended to prevent tail rotor drive failure and loss of control.
Estimated compliance costs and FAA exceptions
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 63 U.S.-registered helicopters. A visual inspection is estimated at 4 work-hours (labor rate $85/hr) or $340 per helicopter per inspection cycle and $21,420 for the U.S. fleet per cycle; replacing an inclined drive shaft is estimated at 4 work-hours plus $17,900 parts for $18,240 total, and replacing a horizontal drive shaft at 4 work-hours plus $35,500 parts for $35,840 total per helicopter. The FAA also states two reliefs compared to the EASA AD: it would not require sending corroded parts to Airbus Helicopters and it would not require submitting certain information to the manufacturer.
Prohibition on installing non-serviceable shafts
The proposed AD prohibits installing certain inclined and horizontal drive shafts on these helicopters unless the part is a serviceable part as defined in the incorporated EASA AD 2023-0168 (dated August 31, 2023). This rule limits installation to parts meeting the serviceability requirements in that EASA AD.
Special flight permits are prohibited
The proposed AD explicitly prohibits special flight permits for affected Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J. Operators cannot use special flight permits to move helicopters covered by this AD under the AD's authority.
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