Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E Helicopters

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-17-52, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109E helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight, visually inspecting any main rotor rotating scissors assembly for correct installation and replacing any unairworthy part with an airworthy part. If the rotating scissors attachment bolt (attachment bolt) is not replaced with a new part at the initial inspection, this AD also requires removing the rotating scissors assembly to inspect the attachment bolt for a crack and replacing any cracked attachment bolt with a new attachment bolt before further flight. This amendment is prompted by two incidents of flight control malfunctions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the rotating scissors assembly and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.