Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22803 · Tail rotor system
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of loose tail rotor duplex bearing locking nuts, possibly caused by improper installation. This AD requires disassembling certain tail rotor duplex bearings and reassembling them in accordance with updated procedures. This AD also prohibits installing certain tail rotor duplex bearing housings and pitch change slider assemblies. These actions are 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 2023-0105, dated May 23, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0105).
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0105 defines the updated procedure as “Paragraph 64-30-3 Rev. 5 (for A109C helicopters), MM Paragraph 64-31-6 Rev. 16 (for A109E helicopters), MM Paragraph 64-30-5 Rev. 5 (for A109K2 helicopters), AM DM 64-31-10-00A-710A-B Issue 13 (for A109LUH helicopters) or AMP DM 0B-A-64-31-06-00A-710A-B Issue 13 (for A109S and AW109SP helicopters), as applicable, or later revisions;” for this AD, replace that text with “Paragraph 64-30-3 Rev. 5 (for A109C helicopters), MM Paragraph 64-31-6 Rev. 16 (for A109E helicopters), MM Paragraph 64-30-5 Rev. 5 or MM Paragraph 64-31-6 Rev. 6, as applicable (for A109K2 helicopters), or AMP DM 0B-A-64-31-06-00A-710A-B Issue 13 (for A109S and AW109SP helicopters), as applicable, or later revisions.”
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0105 states “Annex A of the ASB;” for this AD, replace that text with “Annex A or B of the ASB, as applicable.”
(3) Where EASA AD 2023-0105 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(4) Where EASA AD 2023-0105 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0105 specifies to “discard” parts; for this AD, replace that text with “remove from service.”
(6) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2023-0105.
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0105 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
