Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.) (Leonardo) Helicopters
airworthiness · Rule · Final rule; request for comments. · Published 2021-03-24 · Effective 2021-04-08 · 86 FR 15576
Document
Document number
2021-06200
Federal Register citation
86 FR 15576
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule; request for comments.
Category
airworthiness
Manufacturer
Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.) (Leonardo)
Publication date
2021-03-24
Effective date
2021-04-08
FAA docket
Docket No. FAA-2021-0194
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-26-52 which applied to certain Agusta S.p.A. (now Leonardo) Model A109C, A109E, and A109K2 helicopters. AD 2007-26-52 required inspecting for swelling, deformation, bonding separation, and for a crack on each main rotor blade (MRB) with a certain part-numbered tip cap installed, and removing the MRB from service before further flight if any of these conditions exist and exceed the prescribed limits. This AD retains all inspections for certain serial-numbered MRBs, but for MRBs with a certain tip cap installed, this AD requires dye-penetrant inspections rather than visual inspections. This AD was prompted by additional reports of in-flight loss of part of a tip cap. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.