AD 2021-10-24 Requires Replacing Certain Part-Numbered Sliders As A Terminating Action For The Inspections

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-25-04 for Agusta S.p.A (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model A109A and A109A II helicopters.

AD 2015-25-04 required inspecting the slider assembly pitch control (slider) for play and replacing the slider if the play exceeds certain limits. This AD was prompted by further investigation that led to the determination that the play was caused by a manufacturing issue. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2015-25-04, requires replacing certain part-numbered sliders as a terminating action for the inspections, and prohibits installing the affected part on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective June 18, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2015-25-04, Amendment 39-18342 (80 FR 76381, December 9, 2015), (AD 2015-25-04). AD 2015-25-04 applied to Agusta S.p.A (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model A109A and A109A II helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2021 (86 FR 13232). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the initial and repetitive 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) inspections required by AD 2015-25-04 and depending on the inspection results, continue to require replacing the slider with an airworthy slider. Additionally, the NPRM proposed to require, within 800 hours TIS, removing slider part number (P/N) 109-0130-11-7 from service and replacing it with a modified slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 marked with an “R” after the serial number, which would provide a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Finally, the NPRM proposed to prohibit installing certain sliders on any helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2020-0142, dated June 25, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0142), 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. Model A109A and A109A II helicopters with a certain part-numbered slider. EASA AD 2020-0142 supersedes EASA AD 2015-0097, dated June 1, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0097). EASA AD 2015-0097 was issued after unusual play was detected on a certain part-numbered slider. EASA advised in EASA AD 2015-0097 that investigation revealed excessive wear of the slider broaching at the point of contact with the tail rotor shaft but that the cause of the excessive play had not been determined. EASA AD 2015-25-04 prompted the FAA to issue AD 2015-25-04. EASA now advises that further investigation results identified the reason for the excessive play was a manufacturing issue. Accordingly, EASA AD 2020-0142 retains the repetitive inspections for a certain part-numbered slider, requires replacing a certain part-numbered slider with a modified slider, and provides a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

FMI: www.regulations.gov