| AD Number | 91-08-05 | Status | Active |
| Effective Date | May 07, 1991 | Issue Date | Not specified |
| Docket Number | 91-ASW-10 | Amendment | 39-6959 |
| Product Type | ["Aircraft"] | Product Subtype | ["Rotorcraft"] |
| CFR Part | --- - Part 39 | CFR Section | N/A |
| Citation | This information is not available. | ||
| Manufacturer(s) | Agusta S.p.A. |
| Model(s) | A109A A109A II |
91-08-05 CONSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE GIOVANNI AGUSTA: Amendment 39- 6959. Docket No. 91-ASW-10.
Applicability: All Model A109A and A109AII helicopters, certificated in any category, with main rotor blades, part number (P/N) 109-0103-01 (all dash numbers), with serial numbers 378 through and including 1519, installed.
Compliance: Required prior to further flight for blades with 300 or more hours total time in service on the effective date of this AD, and thereafter, for the remaining blades upon attaining 300 hours time in service, unless already accomplished.
To prevent possible fatigue failure of the main rotor blade and subsequent loss of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight, inspect each main rotor (M/R) blade for cracks using a dye penetrant or equivalent inspection method and again within the next 10 hours time in service as follows:
(1) Identify the designated area of the M/R blade in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 6.1.2 of Agusta Service Document BTT No. 109-6, Rev. B, dated November 2, 1989.
(2) Prepare the designated areas and conduct dye penetrant inspections in accordance with paragraphs 6.1.3 through 6.1.6 of Agusta BTT No. 109-6, Rev. B, dated November 2, 1989.
(3) Remove the blade from the helicopter for the initial inspection.
(4) After completing the inspection, protect the designated area in accordance with Agusta BTT No. 109-6, Rev. B, dated November 2, 1989, paragraph 6.1.8, or other FAA-approved methods.
NOTE: If an eddy current inspection, in accordance with Agusta BTT No. 109-6, Rev. B, dated November 2, 1989, is accomplished before further flight, the requirements of this paragraph are satisfied.
(b) Within the next 20 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time in service, inspect each M/R blade in the designated area identified in paragraph (a) for cracks using an eddy current inspection method in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 6.2 and subparagraphs 6.2.1 through 6.2.7.2 of Agusta BTT No. 109-6, Rev. B, dated November 2, 1989, as follows:
(1) Remove the blade from the helicopter for the inspections.
(2) After completing the inspection, protect the designated area in accordance with Agusta BTT No. 109-6, Rev. B, dated November 2, 1989, paragraph 6.1.8, or other FAA-approved methods.
(c) If a crack is detected during the inspection of paragraph (a) or (b) above, remove the blade from service and replace with an airworthy M/R blade.
(d) In accordance with FAR Sections 21.197 and 21.199, the helicopter may be flown to a base where the inspections required by the AD may be accomplished.
(e) An alternate method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times, which provides an equivalent level of safety, may be used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 624-5110.
(f) Report cracks found to the manager identified in paragraph (e) within 10 days of the inspection. (Reporting approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB No. 2120-0056.)
(g) The inspection requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to serviceable blades which have been inspected and reidentified in accordance with Part II of Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109-79, dated July 27, 1990. Serviceable blades will be reidentified by adding "T" after the serial number on the data plate.
The inspection procedures shall be done in accordance with Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109-6, Rev. B, dated November 2, 1989, and Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109-79, dated July 27, 1990, which incorporates Report No. 109-02-79, dated July 15, 1990. The incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from Agusta Aerospace Corporation, 3050 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114. Copies may be inspected at the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, FAA, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, TX, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street, N.W., Room 8401, Washington, D.C.
Airworthiness Directive 91-08-05, supersedes priority letter AD 89-23-08, issued November 2, 1989.
This Amendment (39-6959, AD 91-08-05) becomes effective on May 7, 1991.