Action
Final rule.
Summary
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-25-04 for Eurocopter France Model AS350B3 helicopters with a certain modification (MOD) installed. AD 2012-25-04 required installing two placards and revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). AD 2012-25-04 also required certain checks and inspecting and replacing, if necessary, all four laminated half-bearings (bearings). This new AD retains the previous AD requirements, requires certain modifications which would be terminating action for the airspeed limitations, and adds certain helicopter models to the bearing inspection with a different inspection interval. These actions are intended to prevent vibration due to a failed bearing, failure of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.