FR 2021-03657

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive aimed at improving the safety of Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3. This directive addresses certain technical issues with the helicopter's throttle twist grip that could potentially lead to the engine remaining in idle mode. The directive mandates modifications to the helicopter's electrical system and an inspection of the microswitch electrical harness to ensure proper installation and functionality.

General Summary

The FAA's final rule requires specific updates to the electrical system of the throttle twist grip in the Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3, which are integral for switching between the "idle" and "flight" modes. This comes in response to reports that some aircraft engines were not correctly transitioning from idle to flight mode due to microswitch flaws. The modifications aim to prevent potential engine issues that could compromise flight safety.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues arise from the implementation of this directive. The first is the cost of compliance; each helicopter will incur an estimated cost of $12,242 for the required modifications, which could be financially burdensome for operators. The document does not clarify if there were any cost-effective alternatives considered. Secondly, the directive's language includes technical jargon regarding different modification configurations (e.g., MOD 073087, MOD 073135), which may be difficult for individuals without specific technical expertise to understand.

Additionally, there's a lack of public comments, which means there may be unaddressed concerns about the rule's impact or the rationale behind its development. Moreover, while the document mentions that the directive will not significantly impact small entities, it does not provide detailed economic analyses that would bolster this claim, potentially leaving some stakeholders seeking more transparency. Lastly, the document does not offer a clear definition of what constitutes "correct installation" of the microswitch electrical harness, potentially resulting in varied interpretations and inconsistent compliance.

Broad Public Impact

For the general public, the directive underscores a commitment to aviation safety by preemptively addressing technical glitches before they result in accidents or injuries. This rule aims to mitigate the risk of unexpected engine issues that could lead to unsafe flight conditions, thereby boosting confidence in helicopter travel safety among passengers.

Specific Stakeholder Impact

Specific stakeholders like helicopter operators and maintenance crews will be directly affected by the costs and technical requirements imposed by this directive. For operators, the financial burden might be substantial given the cost of modifications, particularly if they own a fleet of affected helicopters. Maintenance crews will need to familiarize themselves with the technical requirements of the directive to ensure compliance, which might necessitate additional training.

Conversely, for stakeholders such as passengers and flight safety advocates, the directive may be seen positively as it enhances safety measures, aligning with the priority of safeguarding flight operations. Overall, while the directive promises to enhance flight safety, it requires clear communication and potentially further support to address the financial and technical challenges it presents to certain stakeholders.

The Federal Register document highlights financial implications related to a new airworthiness directive (AD) issued by the FAA for Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3 helicopters. The directive is intended to address an unsafe condition by requiring modifications to the helicopter's electrical system, particularly involving the throttle twist grip and the electrical harness.

Summary of Financial Allocations

The document specifies that labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Moreover, the process of modifying the electrical system and inspecting the electrical harness routing is expected to take about 30 work-hours. The total cost for the necessary parts is expected to be approximately $9,692. Consequently, the estimated total cost per helicopter amounts to $12,242. When considering the entire fleet registered in the U.S., which includes 517 helicopters, the costs sum to approximately $6,329,114.

Financial Impact on Operators and Fleet Owners

These financial references bring to light significant expenditure required by helicopter operators to comply with this directive. Each operator might find the estimated cost of $12,242 per helicopter burdensome, given that these expenses need to be borne by the helicopter owners for compliance without explicit discussion of any support or subsidies. This amount forms a substantial part of operational budgets, especially when no cost-effective alternatives have been explicitly discussed.

Technical Complexity and Cost Considerations

The complexity of the technical modifications, indicated by references such as different helicopter configurations involving MOD 073087 and MOD 073135, suggests that operators may incur additional costs if misunderstandings or misinterpretations occur. Because there is no clear specification of what constitutes “correct installation” of the microswitch electrical harness, there might be a risk of incurring additional costs due to varied interpretations and the potential need for further corrections.

Transparency and Economic Impact

While the document notes that there would be no significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, there is no extensive analysis provided to elaborate on this conclusion. The financial burden appears significant when considering smaller entities who might have limited financial resources to engage with such comprehensive modifications. Transparency regarding the financial analysis or considerations that led to this conclusion would benefit the stakeholders who seek to understand the full economic impact of the AD.

These points summarize how financial considerations are interwoven with the compliance, technical requirements, and potentially substantial economic impacts on the stakeholders involved. The estimated $12,242 per helicopter cost is a pivotal figure that may influence operators' financial planning and resource allocation.