Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19233 · Main rotor blades
Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters
This AD applies to Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any category:
(1) With a main rotor blade (MRB) part number (P/N) 709-0104-01-111 with a serial number (S/N) 1307, 1320, 1346, 1365, 1372, 1380, 1414, 1426, 1436, 1475, or 1485;
(2) With an MRB with a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 to paragraph (a)(2) of this AD, with 400 or fewer hours time-in-service (TIS) since first installation on a helicopter; and
(3) With an MRB P/N 709-0104-01-101 with a S/N K101 or DA38586004-1, or P/N 709-0104-01-111 with a S/N P451, P460, Q553, Q557, Q587, Q695, Q832, R2080, R2212 or V699, with 400 or fewer hours TIS since maintenance on the tip cap by Finmecannica between January 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109E, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main rotor blade (MRB) tip cap for disbonding. This AD is prompted by a report of the in-flight loss of an MRB tip cap. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(1) For helicopters listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD:
(i) Within 5 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 5 hours TIS, using a tap hammer or equivalent, tap inspect each MRB tip cap for disbonding in the area depicted in Figure 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) EASB No. 109S-077, dated September 8, 2017; EASB No. 109SP-116, dated September 8, 2017; or EASB No. 119-085, Revision A, dated September 11, 2017; as applicable for your model helicopter. If there is any disbonding, before further flight, remove the MRB from service.
(ii) Within 25 hours TIS, remove the MRB from service.
(2) For helicopters listed in paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this AD, within 25 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 25 hours TIS, using a tap hammer or equivalent, tap inspect each MRB tip cap for disbonding in the area depicted in Figure 1 of Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109EP-157, dated September 8, 2017; EASB No. 109S-077, dated September 8, 2017; EASB No. 109SP-116, dated September 8, 2017; or EASB No. 119-085, Revision A, dated September 11, 2017; as applicable for your model helicopter. If there is any disbonding, before further flight, replace the MRB.
(3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an MRB P/N 709-0104-01-111 with a S/N 1307, 1320, 1346, 1365, 1372, 1380, 1414, 1426, 1436, 1475, or 1485 on any 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.
