Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21786 · Cargo compartments
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certificated in any category, equipped with a Breeze external hoist assembly, having part number (P/N) P/N 3G2591V00331 (Breeze P/N BL-20200-421), P/N 3G2591V02931 (Breeze P/N BLH-20200-431-1), P/N 3G2591V02932 (Breeze P/N BLH-20200-431-2), or P/N 3G2591V01431 (Breeze P/N BL-20200-422), that has not passed a rated load check (RTC) in accordance with Breeze Flight Line Operation and Maintenance Manual TD-03-008, TD-08-002 or TD-03-009 as applicable, or the Accomplishment Instructions of Leonardo Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 139-679, dated August 5, 2021 (ASB 139-679), or Annex 1 of Leonardo S.p.A. AW139 Temporary Maintenance Instruction (TMI) 139-546, dated August 2, 2021, after performing the following actions:
(1) Replacement of the hoist cable (Breeze P/N BL-6260 or P/N BL-9149-8, as applicable), or
(2) Installation of a hoist assembly that has been in storage for more than 12 consecutive months.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the determination that the requirement to accomplish a rated load check (RTC) on certain hoist assemblies may have been inadvertently left out of some aircraft maintenance publications (AMPs). This AD requires performing an RTC on certain part-numbered hoist assemblies with certain part-numbered hoist cables installed and corrective actions if any discrepancies are found 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 2021-0186R1, dated August 18, 2021 and corrected August 23, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0186R1).
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0186R1 refers to August 10, 2021 (the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0186-E at original issue), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not mandate the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0186R1.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0186R1 specifies to contact Leonardo S.p.a. for approved corrective action instructions, for this AD, if any discrepancy is detected during the RTC, the corrective actions must be accomplished before next hoist operation using a method to be approved by the Manager, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
Note 1 to paragraph (h)(3): Discrepancies are noted in steps 2 and 3 of Annex A of ASB 139-679.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0186R1 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
