AD 2021-10-01 Requires Temporarily Revising The Existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters. This AD was prompted by false simultaneous in-flight disengagement of automatic flight control system (AFCS) channels 1 and 2.

This AD requires temporarily revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. This AD also requires installing an AFCS software upgrade and concurrently removing that RFM revision. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD becomes effective June 2, 2021.

Supplementary Information: EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2017-0156, dated August 24, 2017 (EASA AD 2017-0156), to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly Finmeccanica Helicopter Division, AgustaWestland) Model AW169 helicopters, all serial numbers, except those equipped with AFCS software part number (P/N) 6F2210AS0103 or later. EASA advises of false simultaneous in-flight disengagement of AFCS channels 1 and 2 that resulted from the activation of specific AFCS modes combined with the unavailability of hybrid ground speed data at take-off. Accordingly, EASA AD 2017-0156 requires temporarily amending the Limitations Section of the RFM, informing all flight crews, and thereafter, operating the helicopter accordingly. EASA AD 2017-0156 also requires installing AFCS software P/N 6F2210AS0103 and removing the temporary RFM revision. This condition, if not addressed, could result in temporary loss of control of the helicopter, possibly resulting in damage to the helicopter or injury to occupants.

EASA initially issued EASA AD 2017-0112 dated June 26, 2017 (EASA AD 2017-0112), to address this unsafe condition. EASA issued AD 2017-0156 to supersede EASA AD 2017-0112 to require installing the newly-developed AFCS software upgrade and removal of the temporary RFM revision.

FMI: www.regulations.gov