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

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-17-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires installing a placard in the helicopter and marking the airspeed indication at 140 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) to indicate a reduction in the helicopter never-exceed speed (Vne) of 28 KIAS; visually checking the tail roter blades on both sides for a crack before each start of the helicopter engines; visually inspecting the tail rotor blades with a 5x or higher magnifying glass at certain time intervals and anytime an increase in vibration occurs, and conducting a dye-penetrant inspection if necessary; and replacing any cracked tail rotor blade with an airworthy tail roter blade. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the tail roter blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.