AD 2020-21-21 Requires Removing Certain Main Rotor (M/R) Floating Ring Assemblies From Service

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters. This AD requires removing certain main rotor (M/R) floating ring assemblies from service.

This AD also prohibits replacing any washer on any M/R floating ring assembly. This AD was prompted by a report of a washer debonding from the M/R floating ring assembly. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 24, 2020.

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 A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters, with a M/R floating ring assembly part number (P/N) 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2019 (84 FR 67251).

The NPRM proposed to require removing from service any M/R floating ring assembly P/N 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 with serial number (S/N) DA53295148-1, F86782, G130924, J31213, L99, L104, L107, L117, L127, L130, M215, P411, R687, R735, R769, R772, or V71. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing the affected M/R floating ring  assemblies on any helicopter. Lastly, the NPRM proposed to prohibit replacing any washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on any M/R floating ring assembly installed on any helicopter. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent failure of the M/R floating ring assembly and significant increase of the pilot workload and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2018-0205, dated September 14, 2018, 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.; and AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation)

Model A109E, A109S, A119, A109LUH, AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters with certain part-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies installed. EASA advises of a report of a washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 that debonded from the M/R floating ring assembly on a Model A109E helicopter. Investigation results revealed that the M/R floating ring assembly had been improperly repaired, and identified a batch of M/R floating ring assemblies that could also be affected. Due to design similarity, some of those M/R floating ring assemblies may be installed on other A109/A119 helicopter models.

EASA further advises that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of an affected M/R floating ring assembly and significant increase of the pilot workload, possibly resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. Accordingly, the EASA AD requires inspecting the M/R floating ring assembly to identify its S/N and depending on findings, replacing affected serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies. The EASA AD also prohibits installing those serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies on any helicopter and prohibits replacing washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on an M/R floating ring assembly installed on a helicopter.

FMI: www.regulations.gov