Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21778 · Rotorcraft flight control
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2024-18-01. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of abnormal play on the collective torque tube on two Model AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of affected torque tube assemblies for any deficiency and corrective action if necessary; and the replacement of any affected part with a serviceable part, which is terminating action for the repetitive inspections, as specified in a 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0096, dated March 31, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0096).
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0096 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0096 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0096 specify the compliance times for Group 1 helicopters to inspect the affected part, this AD requires an initial inspection within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS.
(4) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2021-0096 specifies, for Group 1 helicopters, replacement of an affected part with a serviceable part “within 36 months after April 3, 2019 [the effective date of EASA AD 2019-0057],” for this AD, that replacement must be done within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0096 specifies to return a torque tube assembly to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0096 specifies to contact the manufacturer “in case of doubt” regarding the batch number on a torque tube assembly, determining the batch number is required by this AD but contacting the manufacturer is not required.
(7) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0096.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0096 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
