Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21755 · Tail rotor system
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 and AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-23-52, which applied to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 and AW189 helicopters. AD 2018-23-52 required inspecting the nut, cotter pin, lock-wire, and hinge bracket connected to the tail rotor servo-actuator (TRA) feedback lever link, and each connection of the TRA feedback lever link, and repair if necessary. AD 2018-23-52 also required applying a paint stripe or torque seal on the nut and reporting certain information. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the TRA, repetitive inspections and checks of the tail rotor duplex bearings (TR DB), installation of an improved TRA and TR DB, repetitive installations and checks of thermal strips, replacement of the improved TR DB (life limit), and applicable corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a report of an accident of a Model AW169 helicopter, which was observed to have lost yaw control prior to the accident and a determination that certain inspections and checks of the TR DB, installation of an improved TRA and TR DB, certain other actions, and applicable corrective actions are necessary to address the unsafe condition. 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0197, dated September 10, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0197).
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0197 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) This AD does not allow the compliance time tolerance specified in Note 1 of EASA AD 2020-0197.
(3) The initial compliance time for the inspection specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0197, except for Group 1 helicopters on which the inspection identified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial inspection is within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD.
(4) The initial compliance time for the inspection specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0197, except for Group 1 and 2 helicopters on which the inspection identified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial compliance time is within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD.
(5) The initial compliance time for the installation specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0197, except for Group 1 and 2 helicopters on which the installation identified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial compliance time is within 20 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD.
(6) The initial compliance time for the check (inspection) specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0197, except for Group 1 and 2 helicopters on which the check (inspection) identified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial compliance time is within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD.
(7) The initial compliance time for the inspection/check specified in paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2020-0197 except for Group 1 and 2 helicopters on which the inspection identified in paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial compliance time is within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD.
(8) Where paragraphs (6), (8), (9), and (11) of EASA AD 2020-0197 specify contacting Leonardo for corrective action instructions, the corrective action instructions must be accomplished in accordance with FAA-approved procedures.
(9) Where paragraphs (9) and (10) of EASA AD 2020-0197 use the term “discrepancy,” for this AD, discrepancies include roughness (meaning lack of free and easy rotation), measured breakaway force(s) outside the allowed range specified in the service information identified in paragraphs (2) and (7) of EASA AD 2020-0197, any wear or other damage (including, but not limited to, broken seals), and the presence of particles.
(10) Where paragraph (12) of EASA AD 2020-0197 requires reporting results to the manufacturer “as required by paragraphs (12.1) and (12.2) of this [EASA] AD”, for this AD, only report the inspection and check results specified in paragraph (12.1) of EASA AD 2020-0197. Submit the report at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(10)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection or check was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 2 days after the inspection or check.
(ii) If the inspection or check was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 2 days after the effective date of this AD.
(11) Where paragraph (13) of EASA AD 2020-0197, and the service information specified in EASA AD 2020-0197, specify returning parts and grease containers to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements.
(12) Where EASA AD 2020-0197 requires compliance from March 20, 2020 (the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0048, dated March 6, 2020), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(13) Where EASA AD 2020-0197 requires compliance from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(14) This AD does not allow credit for the actions specified in EASA AD 2020-0197 if those actions were done using the service information specified in paragraphs (h)(14)(i) through (ix) of this AD:
(i) Leonardo S.p.A. Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 169-148, dated May 29, 2019;
(ii) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 169-148, Revision A, dated September 5, 2019;
(iii) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 169-148, Revision B, dated February 4, 2020;
(iv) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 169-148, Revision C, dated April 6, 2020;
(v) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, dated May 29, 2019;
(vi) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, Revision A, dated September 5, 2019;
(vii) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, Revision B, dated February 4, 2020;
(viii) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, Revision B, dated February 4, 2020, with Errata Corrige;
(ix) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, Revision C, dated April 6, 2020.
(15) This AD does not require the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0197.
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
