Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-12106 · Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E Helicopters
Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2001-17-16. Comply with the one in force.
Model A109E helicopters, with tail rotor blade (blade), part number 109-8132-01-109, installed, certificated in any category.
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-25-54, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Agusta (Agusta) S.p.A. Model A109E helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before each start of the engines, visually checking both sides of each tail rotor blade (blade) for a crack and, at specified intervals, inspecting each blade for a crack using a 5-power or higher magnifying glass. Dye-penetrant inspecting each blade for a crack is also required at specified time intervals. If a crack is found, replacing the blade with an airworthy blade is required before further flight. This amendment is prompted by five reports of cracked tail rotor blades. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
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
