Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-12044 · Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E Helicopters
Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E Helicopters
Model A109E helicopters, up to and including serial numbers 11057, excluding serial numbers 11001, 11005, 11047, 11049, 11055 and 11056, with engine exhaust ejectors, part number 109-0601-51, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109E helicopters that currently requires inspecting the exhaust ejector locking system, clamp, and dampers for each engine. The existing AD also requires verifying the torque of the metallic clamps and installing safety wire on the metallic clamps; inspecting and modifying the ejector saddles and the locking metallic clamps; and inspecting the metallic clamps, locking mechanisms, and dampers. This amendment requires modifying the engine exhaust ejectors. This amendment is prompted by the development of a kit to modify the engine exhaust ejectors to provide terminating action from the requirements of the current AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of the metallic clamp or the engine exhaust ejector, damage to the main or tail rotor system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(a) Prior to further flight, in accordance with Part I of the Compliance Instructions in Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP-3, dated December 22, 1998 (Technical Bulletin), inspect the exhaust ejector to ejector saddle locking system, the dampers at the bottom of the ejector saddle, and the torque of the metallic clamp, and install safety wire on the metallic clamp. If any damage is found as a result of the inspection, accomplish Part II of the Compliance Instructions in the Technical Bulletin prior to further flight.
(b) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the dampers and metallic clamps, and reposition and modify the ejector saddle and the locking metallic clamp in accordance with Part II of the Compliance Instructions in the Technical Bulletin.
(c) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, inspect the metallic clamp, locking mechanism, and dampers in accordance with Part III of the Compliance Instructions in the Technical Bulletin.
(d) Before further flight after December 31, 2000, modify the engine exhaust ejectors, part number (P/N) 109-0601-51, by installing a kit, P/N 109-0822-94, in accordance with the Compliance Instructions in Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109EP-5, dated December 22, 1999.
(e) Installing a kit, P/N 109-0822-94, is terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
