Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21821 · Main rotor system
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0112R1, dated June 4, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0112R1).
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 reports of failed main rotor (MR) dampers. This AD requires various inspections of certain MR dampers, 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 2018-0112R1.
(1) Where EASA AD 2018-0112R1 requires compliance in terms of flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
(2) Where EASA AD 2018-0112R1 refers to FH accumulated by a part since new (first installation on a helicopter) or since overhaul, this AD requires using total hours TIS.
(3) Where EASA AD 2018-0112R1 refers to its effective date; May 10, 2016 (the effective date of EASA AD 2016-0087, dated May 3, 2016); July 28, 2016 (the effective date of EASA AD 2016-0140, dated July 14, 2016); or September 11, 2017 (the effective date of EASA AD 2017-0160, dated August 28, 2017), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where EASA AD 2018-0112R1 requires the compliance time of during an “after the last flight (ALF) of the day inspection,” this AD requires the compliance time of before the first flight of the day.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0112R1 specifies using a magnifying glass, this AD requires using a 5X or higher power magnifying glass.
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0112R1 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(7) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2018-0112R1 requires compliance within 30 FH after 10 May 2016 (the effective date of EASA AD 2016-0087, dated May 3, 2016), or at the first MR damper removal, whichever occurs first, for a MR damper that has accumulated 300 or more FH, this AD requires compliance within 30 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD for a MR damper that has accumulated 300 or more total hours TIS.
(8) This AD does not require the actions required by paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2018-0112R1.
(9) Where paragraph (8) of EASA AD 2018-0112R1 refers to having a serial number (S/N) specified in Part V of FHD BT 139-450, this AD requires the actions of that paragraph for helicopters with an MR damper part number (P/N) 3G6220V01351 or 3G6220V01352 with an S/N up to MCR8086 inclusive, installed, that has accumulated less than 600 total hours TIS.
(10) Where paragraph (10) of EASA AD 2018-0112R1 refers to having an S/N specified in in Part VII of FHD BT 139-450, this AD requires the actions of that paragraph for helicopters with:
(i) MR damper P/N 3G6220V01351 or 3G6220V01352 with an S/N up to MCR8764 inclusive, and with rod end P/N M006-01H004-041, -045, or -053, installed, except MR dampers confirmed of having 60-80 Nm applied and MR dampers marked with “BT 139-446 Part II” or “BT 139-446 Part III” on the logcard; or
(ii) MR damper P/N 3G6220V01351 or 3G6220V01352 that has had the damper rod end assembly removed before the issuance of “BT 139-446” installed, even if it has an S/N higher than MCR8764 or it has been confirmed of having 60-80 Nm applied.
Note 1 to paragraph (h)(10): MR dampers confirmed of having 60-80 Nm applied are listed in Table 1 (two pages) of Annex A, of Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 139-450, Revision D, dated May 28, 2019.
(11) Where paragraph (10) of EASA AD 2018-0112R1 requires a torque check, this AD requires a torque inspection.
(12) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (10) of EASA AD 2018-0112R1 specifies making sure that there are not scratches or dents on the rod end, this AD requires, before further flight, removing the rod end from service if there is a scratch or dent on the rod end.
(13) Where paragraph (12) of EASA AD 2018-0112R1 requires contacting Leonardo and replacing the MR damper with a serviceable part, this AD does not. This AD requires the following:
(i) If there is a crack in an MR damper body end, before further flight, replace the MR damper.
(ii) If there is a crack in an MR damper rod end, before further flight, remove the MR damper rod end from service.
(iii) If there is damage in any teeth of a rod end broached ring nut or damper piston slot, or if the engagement or alignment is not correct, before further flight, remove the rod end broached ring nut from service.
(14) Paragraph (13) of EASA AD 2018-0112R1 requires accomplishing the applicable corrective action(s) “as specified in, and in accordance with, the instructions of FHD BT 139-450 or FHD BT 139-452, as applicable,” except where:
(i) If there is any bearing seat rotation or misaligned slippage mark in the MR damper rod end, this AD requires, before further flight, removing the MR damper rod end from service.
(ii) If the MR damper rod end torque value is more than 30.0 Nm (265.5 in lb), this AD requires, before further flight, removing the MR damper rod end from service.
(iii) If any MR damper anti-rotation block dimension measurement exceeds allowable limits, this AD requires, before further flight, removing the anti-rotation block from service.
(15) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2018-0112R1.
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an MR damper rod end P/N M006-01H004-041, M006-01H004-045, or M006-01H004-053 on any helicopter, unless it is marked with a black dot indicating that it has passed inspections specified by Leonardo Helicopters BT 139-450.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0112R1 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
