Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22108 · Rotorcraft tail boom
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked tailboom attachment bolts and barrel nuts. This AD requires replacing the upper left hand (LH) tailboom attachment bolt, visually inspecting the other three tailboom attachment bolts and all barrel nuts, repetitive torque checks of the tailboom attachment bolts, and corrective action if necessary, 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0046, dated March 17, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0046).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0046 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0046 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD refers to March 14, 2022, the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0035 dated March 7, 2022, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0046 specifies contacting Leonardo S.p.a. for disposition instructions if a part is found damaged, this AD instead requires removing the part from service.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0046 specifies discarding a certain part, this AD instead requires removing that part from service.
(6) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0046.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0046 specifies submitting certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
