Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21576 · Landing gear actuator
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
(1) Helicopters having serial number 69007, 69009, 69011, 69013, 69014, 69015, 69017, 69018, 69020, 69021, 69022, 69023, 69024, 69025, 69027, 69028, 69031, 69032, 69041, 69042, 69043, 69044, 69049 and 69051.
(2) All helicopters equipped with retractable landing gear (LG) system part number (P/N) 6F3200F00311 or P/N 6F3200F00411.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of failed nose landing gear (NLG) retraction actuators during the acceptance test procedures on the ground on the final assembly line. This AD requires depending on the helicopter configuration, various modifications, installation checks, inspections of the NLG and main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuators and of the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators, and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (5) of this AD, in accordance with the applicable part of the Accomplishment Instructions of Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin 169-023, Revision B, dated April 16, 2018 (ASB 169-023, Revision B), except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD.
(1) For helicopters having S/N 69011 and S/N 69017 that are not equipped with retractable LG system P/N 6F3200F00411 (enhanced NLG retracting actuator P/N 6F3230V00532 and enhanced MLG retracting actuators P/N 6F3230V00832 and P/N 6F3230V01032): Modify the helicopter (which includes replacing the actuators and doing checks and measurements), as specified in Part I of ASB 169-023, Revision B.
(2) For helicopters having S/N 69007, S/N 69015, S/N 69018, and S/N 69022 that are not equipped with retractable LG system P/N 6F3200F00411 (enhanced NLG retracting actuator P/N 6F3230V00532 and enhanced MLG retracting actuators P/N 6F3230V00832 and P/N 6F3230V01032): Modify the helicopter (which includes installing enhanced landing gear retracting actuators and doing checks and measurements), as specified in Part II of ASB 169-023, Revision B.
(3) For helicopters having S/N 69032, S/N 69041, and S/N 69051 that are not equipped with retractable LG system P/N 6F3200F00411 (enhanced NLG retracting actuator P/N 6F3230V00532 and enhanced MLG retracting actuators P/N F3230V00832 and P/N 6F3230V01032): Modify the helicopter (which includes installing enhanced landing gear retracting actuators and doing checks and measurements), as specified in Part III of ASB 169-023, Revision B.
(4) For helicopters having S/N 69007, S/N 69009, S/N 69011, S/N 69013, S/N 69014, S/N 69015, S/N 69017, S/N 69018, S/N 69020, S/N 69021, S/N 69022, S/N 69023, S/N 69024, S/N 69027, S/N 69032, S/N 69041, and S/N 69051: Modify the helicopter (which includes modifying the landing gear actuator control box), as specified in Part IV of ASB 169-023, Revision B.
(5) For helicopters having S/N 69007, S/N 69009, S/N 69011, S/N 69013, S/N 69014, S/N 69015, S/N 69017, S/N 69018, S/N 69020, S/N 69021, S/N 69022, S/N 69023, S/N 69024, S/N 69025, S/N 69027, S/N 69028, S/N 69031, S/N 69032, S/N 69041, S/N 69042, S/N 69043, S/N 69044, and S/N 69051: Modify the helicopter (which includes improving the landing gear proximity switch and doing checks and measurements), as specified in Part V of ASB 169-023, Revision B.
For helicopters having S/N 69009, S/N 69013, S/N 69014, S/N 69020, S/N 69021, S/N 69023, S/N 69024, S/N 69025, S/N 69027, S/N 69028, S/N 69031, S/N 69042, S/N 69043, S/N 69044, and S/N 69049 that are equipped with both retractable LG system P/N 6F3200F00311 and P/N 6F3200F00411: Within 200 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, accomplish installation checks (which include measurements), in accordance with Part VI of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 169-023, Revision B, except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD.
For helicopters equipped with retractable LG system P/N 6F3200F00311 or P/N 6F3200F00411: At the time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (2) of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators, in accordance with Part VII of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 169-023, Revision B, except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD.
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Concurrently with the modifications required by paragraphs (g)(1), (2), and (3) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) If, during any modification required by paragraph (g)(1), (2), (3), or (5) of this AD, or during any installation check required by paragraph (h) of this AD, any discrepancy is detected, before further flight, accomplish the applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 169-023, Revision B, except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD. For this AD, discrepancies include gaps between parts that are not within tolerances, improperly aligned rotational axis of certain parts, non-parallel lever for certain parts, a certain pin is not installed on the MLGs, and incorrect thickness of certain washers.
(2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD, corrosion is detected, before further flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action and apply corrosion inhibitor on the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators, in accordance with Part VII of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 169-023, Revision B, except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD.
(3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no corrosion is detected, before further flight, apply corrosion inhibitor on the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators, in accordance with Part VII of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 169-023, Revision B, except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD.
(1) Where ASB 169-023, Revision B, specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(2) Where ASB 169-023, Revision B, specifies to contact the manufacturer, before further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
(3) Where ASB 169-023, Revision B, specifies to return certain parts, this AD does not include that requirement.
Although ASB 169-023, Revision B, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
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
