Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22405 · Rotorcraft tail boom
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters, certificated in any category.
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 a report of a fatigue crack in a left-hand (LH) fin spar cap. This AD requires cleaning and repetitively inspecting certain part-numbered LH fin spar caps, and repetitively inspecting the exterior of the fin skin and, depending on the results, accomplishing corrective action. This AD also prohibits certain corrective actions as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections unless the corrective actions have been approved as a terminating action, 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 AD 2022-0084, dated May 11, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0084).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0084 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0084 refers to flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0084 specifies to “inspect both flanges of the left hand fin spar cap between F.S. 50 and F.S. 71 using 10x magnifying glass and a bright light for cracks, loose rivets, and other damage;” for this AD, replace that text with, “inspect both flanges of the left hand fin spar cap between F.S. 50 and F.S. 71 using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass and a flashlight for a crack, a loose or missing rivet, and other damage, which may be indicated by fretting around the rivet.”
(4) Instead of complying with paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0084, comply with the following; “During any inspection as required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0084, for this AD, if there is a crack, a loose or missing rivet, other damage, or distortion, before further flight, accomplish the corrective action in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters' Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.”
(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0084.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0084 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
