AD 2017-25-17 Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters

This AD supersedes AD 2011-27-08, Amendment 39-16910 (77 FR 3382, January 24, 2012).

(1) Before further flight or before the elevator assembly accumulates 400 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever occurs later, inspect the left and right elevator upper skin along the 4th rib station rivet line from the leading edge to 200 mm aft with a 10X or higher power magnifying glass for a crack in the area depicted in Figure 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 109S-076, Revision A, dated May 12, 2017 (EASB 109S-076), or EASB No. 109SP-113, Revision A, dated May 12, 2017 (EASB 109SP-113), as appropriate for your model helicopter. If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the elevator assembly. (2) Within 10 hours TIS or before the elevator assembly accumulates 400 hours TIS, whichever occurs later: (i) Drill a 19.05 mm access hole on the lower face of each elevator assembly as depicted in Figure 2 of EASB 109S-076 or EASB 109SP-113, as appropriate for your model helicopter. Apply Alodine or equivalent coating and epoxy polyamide primer to the hole surface. (ii) Using a borescope, inspect the internal area of each elevator assembly for a crack along the leading edge and trailing edge longerons and upper web as depicted in Figure 3 of EASB 109S-076 or EASB 109SP-113, as appropriate for your model helicopter. If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the elevator assembly. Repeat this inspection at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS.

(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.

You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.

This AD defines the unsafe condition as a fatigue crack on the elevator assembly. This condition could result in failure of the elevator, reduced maneuverability of the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.