Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21985 · Emergency equipment
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW109SP helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW109SP helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion inside the hoist support assembly (boom assembly) (affected part) that affects both the huck bolt heads (blind bolt fasteners) and the support surface. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the external and internal surfaces of each affected part for cracking and corrosion and, depending on the findings, accomplishment of corrective actions, 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 2021-0179, dated July 27, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0179).
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0179 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0179 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0179 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0179 specifies returning a part to the manufacturer, this AD requires removing that part from service.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0179 specifies submitting photographs to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0179 specifies attaching a label to the hoist support assembly, this AD does not require that action.
(7) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0179 specifies contacting Leonardo S.p.a. for corrective action instructions, this AD requires replacing or repairing before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Section, 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.
(8) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0179.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0179 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
