Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19239 · Tail rotor drive system
Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2020-15-16. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Model A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail rotor blade retention bolt (bolt) part number (P/N) 709-0160-57-101 installed.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD reduces the life limit of and requires inspecting a tail rotor blade retention bolt (bolt). This AD is prompted by the discovery of a cracked bolt. The actions of this AD are intended to address 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) Before further flight:
(i) For Model A109E and A109K2 helicopters, remove from service any bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has 800 or more hours time-in-service (TIS). If the hours TIS is unknown, remove the bolt from service. Thereafter, remove from service any bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101 before accumulating 800 hours TIS.
(ii) For Model A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters, remove from service any bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has 3,200 or more landings. If the number of landings is unknown, remove the bolt from service. Thereafter, remove from service any bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101 before accumulating 3,200 landings. For purposes of this AD, a landing is counted anytime a helicopter lifts off into the air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shutdown.
(iii) Remove from service any bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has been interchanged between different model helicopters listed in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii) of this AD that has 800 or more hours TIS or 3,200 or more landings. If the hours TIS or number of landings is unknown, remove the bolt from service. Thereafter, remove from service any bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has been interchanged between different model helicopters listed in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii) of this AD before accumulating 800 hours TIS or 3,200 landings, whichever occurs first.
(2) Within 25 hours TIS, remove each bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101. Prior to cleaning, using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, visually inspect the bolt for a crack in the area depicted in Figure 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico Nos. 109EP-149, 109K-72, 109S-072, 109SP-105, or 119-080, all dated August 19, 2016 (BT Nos. 109EP-149, 109K-72, 109S-072, 109SP-105, or 119-080), as applicable to your model helicopter.
(i) If there is a crack, replace the bolt before further flight.
(ii) If there are no cracks, clean and degrease the inspection area of the bolt with solvent, and using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, visually inspect the bolt for a crack in the area depicted in Figure 1 of BT Nos. 109EP-149, 109K-72, 109S-072, 109SP-105, or 119-080, as applicable to your model helicopter. If there is a crack, replace the bolt before further flight.
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.
