Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A119 Helicopters

This amendment supersedes an existing emergency airworthiness directive (EAD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A119 helicopters. EAD 2002-17-52, which was issued on August 21, 2002, was sent to all known U.S. owners and operators of Agusta Model A119 helicopters by individual letters. That AD currently requires installing a placard in the helicopter and marking the airspeed indication at 132 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) before further flight; visually checking the tail rotor blades on both sides for a crack before each start of the helicopter engine; visually inspecting the tail rotor blades with a 5x or higher magnifying glass and conducting a dye-penetrant inspection if you are unable to determine by the visual inspection whether or not there is a crack; replacing any cracked tail rotor blade; modifying the tail rotor hub and blade assembly, reidentifying the modified tail rotor hub and grips assembly and the modified tail rotor hub and blade assembly, which is a terminating action for the never-exceed speed (Vne) reduction; and establishing a retirement life for the tail rotor control rod. This amendment requires the same actions as that EAD, but corrects the airspeed indication marking, which should have been stated as 122 KIAS instead of 132 KIAS. This amendment is prompted by the failure of a tail rotor blade due to a fatigue crack. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the tail rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.