Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19638 · Cabin equipment/furnishings
Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A) Helicopters
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate previously held by Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP helicopters, certificated in any category, with a rescue hoist part number 109-B810-16-101 or 109-B810-16-201 installed.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate previously held by Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting and altering the rescue hoist. This AD was prompted by a report of a damaged hoist cable that detached after load application. 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) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the next hoist operation, whichever occurs first, inspect the rescue hoist handle assembly and the upper part of the cabin doorframe for chafing. The inspection area of the cabin doorframe is depicted in Figure 3 of Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 109SP-110, dated February 13, 2017 (BT 109SP-110). Examples of chafing are shown in Figures 10 and 11 of BT 109SP-110. If there is any chafing, before further flight, repair the chafed areas and inspect the first 6 meters (20 feet) of the hoist cable as follows:
(i) Measure the diameter of the hoist cable as described in the Compliance Instructions, Part I, paragraphs 3.4.1 through 3.4.2 of BT 109SP-110.
(ii) Average the two measurements at each location. If at any location the diameter of the hoist cable is less than 4.7 mm (0.185 inch), before the next hoist operation, remove the hoist cable from service.
(iii) Inspect the hoist cable for broken wires, kinks, bird caging, flattened areas, abrasion, and necking, referencing the examples shown and depicted in Figures 5 through 9 of BT 109SP-110. If there are any broken wires, kinks, bird caging, flattened areas, abrasion, or necking, before the next hoist operation, remove the hoist cable from service.
(2) Within 25 hours TIS, replace the rescue hoist handle attaching hardware as described in the Compliance Instructions, Part II, paragraphs 3 through 6, of BT 109SP-110.
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.
