Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15977 · Agusta S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 Helicopters
Agusta S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 Helicopters
This AD applies to Model AB139 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 31005 through 31054, except S/N 31007, and AW139 helicopters, S/N 31055 through 31067, S/N 31070, and S/N 31071, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The aviation authority of Italy, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI that during the installation of a fire extinguisher bottle on a new helicopter, it was found that the electrical receptacle/connectors on the bottle which commands the firing of the extinguishing agent were swapped between engines No. 1 and No. 2. This condition could affect helicopters already in service and fire extinguisher bottles of the same part number in stock as spare parts. If not corrected, an improperly wired fire extinguishing bottle might cause the extinguishing agent to be discharged toward the unselected engine when the system is activated, rather than toward the engine with the fire. This AD requires determining if each engine has the proper outlet end on the electrical receptacle/connector that attaches the firing cartridge to the fire extinguisher bottle, and if not, replacing the fire extinguisher bottle. This AD is intended to prevent the fire extinguishing agent from not discharging toward the engine with the fire, which could result in loss of the helicopter due to an engine fire.
Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever occurs first, unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Determine whether the fire extinguishing bottle (bottle) for engines No. 1 and No. 2 have the proper outlet end on the electrical receptacle/connector, which attaches the firing cartridge to the bottle, by following steps 4. and 5. of the Compliance Instructions in Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-085, dated May 18, 2007 (BT).
(2) If a bottle has an electrical receptacle/connector for the firing cartridge with an improper outlet end, before further flight, replace the bottle with a bottle that has an electrical receptacle/connector with a proper outlet end in accordance with step 6. of the Compliance Instructions in the BT.
This AD uses the term “hours time-in-service” rather than “flight hours.”
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, ATTN: John Strasburger, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5167; fax (817) 222-5961, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
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
