Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21743 · Emergency flotation section
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category, with an affected emergency flotation system (EFS) assembly as defined in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0279, dated December 14, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0279).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of an incorrect connection of the inflation hoses to the tee manifolds of the inflation line on the emergency flotation system (EFS) assembly. This AD requires visually inspecting the yellow sleeves and hoses installed on each EFS assembly and depending on the inspection results, accomplishing the corrective actions in the applicable service information as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2018-0279.
(1) Where EASA AD 2018-0279 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2018-0279 requires compliance from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where the service information required by EASA AD 2018-0279 specifies recording compliance with the service bulletin in the helicopter logbook, this AD does not include that requirement.
(4) Where EASA AD 2018-0279 identifies all Model AW189 helicopters, all serial numbers in the applicability, this AD is only applicable to Model AW189 with an affected EFS assembly as defined in the definitions paragraph of the EASA AD.
(5) This AD does not require the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2018-0279.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0279 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
