Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11493 · Agusta S.p.A. Model A109A and A109A II Helicopters
Agusta S.p.A. Model A109A and A109A II Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2008-24-06. Comply with the one in force.
Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, with tail rotor blade (blade), part number (P/N) 109-0132-02-all dash numbers, with 400 or more hours time-in-service (TIS), installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Agusta Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, that currently requires, before further flight, inspecting any tail rotor blade (blade) with 400 or more hours time-in-service (TIS) for a crack and replacing any cracked blade before further flight. This amendment contains the same requirements as the current AD but corrects the paragraph that requires ``replacing any cracked blade with an unairworthy blade.'' This amendment is prompted by the need to correct the requirement to mandate ``replacing any cracked blade with an airworthy blade.'' The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the blade, loss of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fatigue failure of a blade, loss of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight, dye-penetrant inspect each blade for a crack in accordance with the Compliance Instructions, Part I, of Agusta S.p.A. Bollettino Tecnico 109-110, dated July 28, 1999 (technical bulletin). Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, dye-penetrant inspect each blade for a crack in accordance with the Compliance Instructions, Part III, of the technical bulletin. If a crack is found, replace the cracked blade with an airworthy blade before further flight.
(b) Before the first flight each day, visually inspect each blade for a crack using a 3 to 5 power magnifying glass in accordance with the Compliance Instructions, Part II, of the technical bulletin. If a crack is found, replace the cracked blade with an airworthy blade before further flight.
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
