Airbus Helicopters Face Mandatory Cargo Frame Inspections from FAA
Published Date: 2/25/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to keep certain Airbus Helicopters safe by requiring regular checks on their cargo swing frames after reports of breakage. If problems are found, fixes must be made right away. Helicopter owners should get ready to follow these new inspection rules by April 11, 2025, to avoid safety risks and possible costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory repetitive swing-frame inspections
If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, or EC130B4 equipped with cargo hook P/N 704A41811035 and any cargo swing frame, you must perform repetitive inspections of the cargo swing installation and frame per EASA AD 2023-0107 as incorporated by the FAA. After the initial inspection, inspections must be repeated at intervals not to exceed 12 months and 36 days or 550 sling cycles (SC), whichever occurs first.
FAA estimated per-helicopter compliance costs
The FAA estimates this AD would affect 1,184 U.S.-registered helicopters. Estimated costs per helicopter are: $170 for the 2-hour visual inspection, $510 for a 6-hour dye penetrant inspection if required, and $25,847 if the cargo swing frame must be replaced (4 work-hours plus a $25,507 part).
Immediate replacement required for certain damage
If an inspection finds a distortion, scratch, hammering mark, impact mark that exceeds allowable limits, or any crack, gap, or misalignment, you must remove the cargo swing frame from service and replace it with an airworthy cargo swing frame before further flight.
Inspections must be done by certified maintenance personnel
Where EASA allowed certain procedures to be performed by a trained pilot, the FAA requires those actions to be performed by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3 (i.e., certificated maintenance personnel).
Limited special flight permits allowed during compliance
Special flight permits may be issued under 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, but only if no external cargo is carried and no persons are hoisted. You may use these permits to move the helicopter despite the AD, subject to that restriction.
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