Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22747 · Life raft
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0214, dated October 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0214).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded deployment of the emergency life-raft system (ELS). This AD requires a one-time inspection of the life-raft installations and, depending on the results, accomplishing additional 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0214.
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0214 refers to “flight hours,” this AD requires replacing those words with “hours time-in-service.”
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0214 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies taking pictures and completing the inspection report, this AD does not include those requirements.
(4) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 states, “damage (e.g., wear or bird caging)” or “damaged” when referring to the control cable that comes out from the sheath; for this AD, replace that text with, “damage, which may be indicated by wear, corrosion, a broken wire, a necked down section, a kink, bird-caging, a flattened area, abrasion, or gouging.”
(5) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 states, “condition (no sign of damage, cracks or missing parts)” or “damaged” when referring to the break-away pin; for this AD, replace that text with, “damage, which may be indicated by wear, corrosion, nick, cracks, or distortion.”
(6) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 states, “condition,” “damage/wear,” and “damages” when referring to the pulley cover; for this AD, replace that text with, “damage, which may be indicated by abrasion, cracks, punctures, cuts, corrosion, or distortion.”
(7) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies removing the pully cover in case it is not possible to properly inspect the whole cover; for this AD, removing the pulley cover to inspect the whole cover is required.
(8) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 cautions that step 3.3 shall be performed by trained operators or by authorized service stations only, this AD does not include those cautions. For this AD, step 3.3 must be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3.
(9) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies “accomplish a check of the affected emergency life-raft assembly,” this AD requires replacing that text with “accomplish an emergency life-raft assembly inspection.”
(10) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies “during the check of the emergency life-raft assembly as required by paragraph (2) of this AD,” this AD requires replacing that text with “during the life-raft assembly inspection as required by paragraph (2) of this AD.”
(11) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies “before next flight after the check as required by paragraph (2) of this AD,” this AD requires replacing that text with “before next flight after the life-raft assembly inspection as required by paragraph (2) of this AD.”
(12) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies to inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the helicopter accordingly, this AD does not require those actions.
(13) Where Table 1 of paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies “Within 120 days after accomplishment of the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD”, this AD requires replacing that text with “Before next flight over water.”
(14) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0214.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies to submit certain information and send removed parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements.
