Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22923 · Main landing gear
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of broken main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber piston rod eye ends. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the MLG shock absorber piston rod eye ends, reporting the results of the inspection, and, depending on the results, replacing the MLG shock absorber assembly. It also prohibits installing certain MLG shock absorber assemblies unless specific requirements are met, 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.
For the purpose of this AD, a landing is counted anytime the helicopter lifts off into the air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shutdown.
Except as specified in paragraph (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD 2024-0211-E, dated November 7, 2024 (EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E).
(1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where Note 2 of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E specifies procedures for calculating the number of landings if the number of landings since new is not known: if the “FH” (total hours time-in-service) accumulated on the affected part, as defined in EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E, cannot be determined, this AD requires using the total hours-time-in-service on the helicopter for that calculation.
(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E specifies accomplishing special detailed inspections (SDIs), this AD requires the landing gear in the fully extended position for the SDIs.
(5) Where paragraph (1) of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E specifies accomplishing SDIs and the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E specifies that the ultrasonic testing inspections must be performed by personnel qualified in accordance with the non-destructive testing requirements of EN4179/NAS410 for Level II or higher, or of an equivalent standard recognized by the competent authority, this AD requires the ultrasonic testing inspections be accomplished by a Level II or Level III inspector certified in the FAA-acceptable standards for nondestructive inspection personnel.
Note 1 to paragraph (i)(5): Advisory Circular 65-31B contains examples of FAA-acceptable Level II and Level III qualification standards criteria for inspection personnel doing nondestructive test inspections.
(6) Where paragraph (2) of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E states “discrepancies, as identified in the EASB, are,” this AD requires replacing that text with “a cracked or broken piston rod eye end, or an ultrasonic testing inspection indication equal to or greater than 80% full screen height (FSH) within the recording gate, as defined in the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E, of an upper or lower piston rod eye end, is.”
(7) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E specifies sending parts to Leonardo Helicopters [LH], this AD does not require that action.
(8) Where paragraph (3) of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E allows credit for the initial instance of the (ultrasonic testing) inspection required by paragraph (1) of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E, this AD allows that credit if the ultrasonic testing inspection that was previously done was accomplished by a Level II or Level III inspector certified in the FAA-acceptable standards for nondestructive inspection personnel.
Note 2 to paragraph (i)(8): Advisory Circular 65-31B contains examples of FAA-acceptable Level II and Level III qualification standards criteria for inspection personnel doing nondestructive test inspections.
(9) Where paragraph (5) of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E specifies reporting inspection results to Leonardo within 10 days after accomplishment of any inspection required by paragraph (1) of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E, this AD requires reporting inspection results of each instance of the inspection required by paragraph (1) of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E at the applicable compliance times specified in paragraph (i)(9)(i) or (ii) of this AD. This AD does not require submitting information to Liebherr.
(i) For an inspection done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the inspection.
(ii) For an inspection done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of this AD.
(10) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA Emergency AD 2024-0211-E.
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
