AD 2008-24-06 Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109A and A109A II Helicopters

Models named: A109A, A109A II. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, with a tail rotor blade (blade), part number (P/N) 109-0132-02-11, -15, and -121, with 400 or more hours time-in-service (TIS), installed, certificated in any category. Reason (d) Based on the Italian mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) AD, this action contains the same requirement as superseded AD 99-27-12 but narrows the applicability from blade, P/N “109-0132-02-all dash numbers,” to specific P/Ns “109-0132-02-11, -15, and -121.” Thus, this action does not apply to blades with any other P/N, including newly designated blade, P/N 109-0132-02-125. The actions specified by this AD are intended to continue the requirements to prevent fatigue failure of a blade, loss of a tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Required as indicated; unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Before further flight, dye-penetrant inspect each blade for a crack by following the Compliance Instructions, Part I, of Agusta S.p.A. Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-110, Revision A, dated December 12, 2005 (BT). Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, dye-penetrant inspect each blade for a crack by following the Compliance Instructions, Part III, of the BT. If you find a crack, replace the cracked blade with an airworthy blade before further flight. (2) Before the first flight each day, visually inspect each blade for a crack using a 3 to 5 power magnifying glass by following the Compliance Instructions, Part II, of the BT. If you find a crack, replace the cracked blade with an airworthy blade before further flight. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI (f) The MCAI states to comply with the manufacturer's BT. This AD differs from the incorporated portions of the BT as follows: (1) We refer to the compliance time as hours TIS rather than flight hours. (2) We do not require you to contact the manufacturer. Other Information (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961. Related Information (h) Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) ENAC AD No. 2006-001, Revision 1, dated January 3, 2006, contains related information. Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code (i) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 6410: Main Rotor Blades. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use the specified portions of Agusta S.p.A. Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-110, Revision A, dated December 12, 2005, to do the actions required. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Agusta, Via Giovanni Agusta, 520 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Italy, telephone 39 0331-229111, fax 39 0331-229605/222595, or at http://customersupport.agusta.com/technical_advice.php . (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 7, 2008. Mark R. Schilling, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-27611 Filed 11-24-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Required as indicated; unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Before further flight, dye-penetrant inspect each blade for a crack by following the Compliance Instructions, Part I, of Agusta S.p.A. Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-110, Revision A, dated December 12, 2005 (BT). Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, dye-penetrant inspect each blade for a crack by following the Compliance Instructions, Part III, of the BT. If you find a crack, replace the cracked blade with an airworthy blade before further flight. (2) Before the first flight each day, visually inspect each blade for a crack using a 3 to 5 power magnifying glass by following the Compliance Instructions, Part II, of the BT. If you find a crack, replace the cracked blade with an airworthy blade before further flight. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI (f) The MCAI states to comply with the manufacturer's BT. This AD differs from the incorporated portions of the BT as follows: (1) We refer to the compliance time as hours TIS rather than flight hours. (2) We do not require you to contact the manufacturer. Other Information (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961. Related Information (h) Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) ENAC AD No. 2006-001, Revision 1, dated January 3, 2006, contains related information. Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code (i) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 6410: Main Rotor Blades. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use the specified portions of Agusta S.p.A. Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-110, Revision A, dated December 12, 2005, to do the actions required. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Agusta, Via Giovanni Agusta, 520 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Italy, telephone 39 0331-229111, fax 39 0331-229605/222595, or at http://customersupport.agusta.com/technical_advice.php . (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 7, 2008. Mark R. Schilling, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-27611 Filed 11-24-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P