Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21802 · Fuselage structure
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2026-09-09. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109E helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0256, dated November 17, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0256).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109E helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the center fuselage frame assembly in the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at station (STA) 1815 on the left- and right-hand sides. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at STA 1815 for cracking and, depending on the findings, repair, 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, EASA AD 2020-0256.
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0256 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2020-0256 AD refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where Figure 1 of the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 depicts the AFT bulkhead twice, for clarification, the FWD bulkhead is mislabeled as AFT and depicted on the left side of Figure 1, below 109-0320-96 POST ASSY (REF) and above FWD CAP.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0256 or the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 specifies to contact the manufacturer for repair information, for this AD: Before further flight, do the repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a.'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(6) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0256.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
