AD 2009-12-07 Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E, A109S, A119, and AW119MKII Helicopters

Models named: A109E, A109S, A119, AW119MKII. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Model A109E, A109S, A119, and AW119MKII helicopters with cargo hook, part number (P/N) 528-010-01, and cargo hook lever, P/N 232-028-00, installed, certificated in any category. Reason (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states that two cases of cracks in the lever, P/N 232-028-00, have been reported by the manufacturer of the cargo hook. The lever is a component of the cargo hook, P/N 528-010-01. This lever is a critical structural component of the cargo hook, and a crack could result in inadvertent loss of the cargo hook load.

Before each cargo hook operation, visually inspect the cargo hook lever, P/N 232-028-00, for any crack. Use a 10-power or higher magnifying glass and inspect in the area depicted in Figures 1 and 2 of the following Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico (ABT), all dated June 6, 2007: (1) ABT No. 109EP-78 for Model A109E helicopters; (2) ABT No. 109S-12 for Model A109S helicopters; or (3) ABT No. 119-21 for Model A119 helicopters. (f) If a crack is found in the lever, do not use the cargo hook until the entire cargo hook is replaced with an airworthy cargo hook with an uncracked lever. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI (g) This AD differs from the MCAI AD in that we: (1) Exclude the August 31, 2007 compliance date because that date has passed; (2) Exclude the Model A109LUH from the applicability and do not reference Agusta ABT No. 109L-006 because the Model A109LUH helicopter is not on the U.S. type certificate, H7EU; (3) Add the Model AW119MKII to the applicability; (4) Require the use of a 10-power or higher magnifying glass to accomplish the visual inspections; and (5) Exclude the kit installation P/N, relying instead on the cargo hook and lever P/N. Other Information (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, 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: John Strasburger, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5167; fax (817) 222-5961. Related Information (i) EASA Emergency AD No. 2007-0160-E, dated June 7, 2007, contains related information. Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code (j) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 2550: Cargo Compartments. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the specified portions of the service information identified in Table 1 to do the actions required. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information identified in Table 1 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. Table 1—Material Incorporated by Reference Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico Date For helicopter model No. 109EP-78 June 6, 2007 A109E No. 109S-12 June 6, 2007 A109S No. 119-21 June 6, 2007 A119 Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on May 21, 2009. Mark R. Schilling, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-13566 Filed 6-11-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Before each cargo hook operation, visually inspect the cargo hook lever, P/N 232-028-00, for any crack. Use a 10-power or higher magnifying glass and inspect in the area depicted in Figures 1 and 2 of the following Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico (ABT), all dated June 6, 2007: (1) ABT No. 109EP-78 for Model A109E helicopters; (2) ABT No. 109S-12 for Model A109S helicopters; or (3) ABT No. 119-21 for Model A119 helicopters. (f) If a crack is found in the lever, do not use the cargo hook until the entire cargo hook is replaced with an airworthy cargo hook with an uncracked lever. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI (g) This AD differs from the MCAI AD in that we: (1) Exclude the August 31, 2007 compliance date because that date has passed; (2) Exclude the Model A109LUH from the applicability and do not reference Agusta ABT No. 109L-006 because the Model A109LUH helicopter is not on the U.S. type certificate, H7EU; (3) Add the Model AW119MKII to the applicability; (4) Require the use of a 10-power or higher magnifying glass to accomplish the visual inspections; and (5) Exclude the kit installation P/N, relying instead on the cargo hook and lever P/N. Other Information (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, 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: John Strasburger, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5167; fax (817) 222-5961. Related Information (i) EASA Emergency AD No. 2007-0160-E, dated June 7, 2007, contains related information. Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code (j) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 2550: Cargo Compartments. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the specified portions of the service information identified in Table 1 to do the actions required. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information identified in Table 1 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. Table 1—Material Incorporated by Reference Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico Date For helicopter model No. 109EP-78 June 6, 2007 A109E No. 109S-12 June 6, 2007 A109S No. 119-21 June 6, 2007 A119 Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on May 21, 2009. Mark R. Schilling, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-13566 Filed 6-11-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P