AD 2021-05-04 Requires Installing A Placard In The Baggage Compartment

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial-numbered Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters.

This AD requires installing a placard in the baggage compartment, revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter, and inspecting the installation of the terminal lugs. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, this AD requires restoring the installation of the terminal lugs. This AD would also require modifying the helicopter to shim the baggage fairing assy (fwd up) away from the circuit breaker panel and incorporating protective coverings. This AD was prompted by reports of several occurrences of fire ignition and smoke in the baggage compartment. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective April 16, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Leonardo Model A109S helicopters, serial number (S/N) 22702, 22703, 22705, and 22706 and AW109SP helicopters with S/N up to 22386 inclusive, except S/N 22375 and S/N 22376. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2020 (85 FR 82972). The NPRM proposed to require, before further flight, for certain serial-numbered helicopters, installing a placard and revising the existing RFM for your helicopter. The NPRM also proposed to require within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), for certain model helicopters, inspecting the  installation of the terminal lugs, shimming the installation of the baggage fairing assembly (fwd up), and installing a silicon rubber protection over the blind rivets of the hinge in accordance with certain applicable service information. The NPRM also proposed to require within 10 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS until protective coverings are installed, removing the baggage fairing assembly (fwd up), removing the rubber protections, and inspecting the cable assembly routing of both circuit breaker panels for damage. Depending on the outcome of these inspections, the NPRM proposed to require repairing or replacing certain parts. The NPRM also proposed to require, within 200 hours TIS, modifying the helicopter to incorporate a certain protective coverings, which would provide a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent fire in the baggage department.

The NPRM was prompted by EASA Emergency AD No. 2018-0120-E, dated May 29, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0120-E), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.a. (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.) Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters. EASA advises that an occurrence was reported on an AW109SP helicopter experiencing fire ignition and
smoke in the baggage compartment. The investigation determined the event was due to chafing of electrical wiring and further analysis indicated that due to similarity of design, this event could also occur on A109S helicopters. Accordingly, the EASA AD requires modification of the affected baggage fairing assembly (fwd up) part number (P/N) 109-0344-31-101 and temporarily amending the existing RFM and installing a placard prohibiting carrying any loads in the baggage compartment.

After EASA AD 2018-0120-E was issued, a second occurrence was reported of fire ignition and smoke in the baggage compartment, and as a precautionary measure, Leonardo Helicopters issued a series of emergency alert service bulletins providing instructions to prevent damage of electrical assemblies in the baggage compartment. Accordingly, EASA issued EASA Emergency No. 2018-0149-E, dated July 13, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0149-E), which retains the requirements of EASA AD 2018-0120-E, and also requires repetitive inspections of the baggage compartment electrical assemblies and depending on the inspection outcomes, repairing or replacing certain parts. Also, EASA AD 2018-0149-E expands the applicability to include three additional serial-numbered helicopters, and requires a modification, which acts as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

FMI: www.regulations.gov