Requires Replacing Rotor Blades With Approve Part

The FAA has issued an emergency AD (2015-05-51) following the discovery of an error in the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) that incorrectly identifies applicability of a certain part-numbered blade on Agusta Model A109A and A109A II helicopters.

This EAD requires replacing an affected blade with the approved part-numbered blade for the applicable model. This condition, if not corrected, could result in blade failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA EAD No. 2015-0025-E, dated February 18, 2015, to correct an unsafe condition for certain serial-numbered AgustaWestland S.p.A. Model A109A and Model A109A II helicopters. EASA advises of the installation of blade part number (P/N) 109-0103-01-7 on Model A109A II helicopters. In a subsequent investigation, it was determined that blade P/N 109-0103-01-7 is eligible for installation on Model A109A helicopters up to serial number (S/N) 7153 only. EASA states that for Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, the current IPC incorrectly allows installing blade P/N 109-0103-01-7 on all helicopters. The EASA EAD requires identifying each blade P/N 109-0103-01-7 and replacing it with P/N 109-0103-01-9 or P/N 109-0103-01-115. The EASA EAD also prohibits installing blade P/N 109-0103-01-7 on Model A109A helicopters from S/N 7154 through 7255 inclusive and on all Model A109A II helicopters.

The FAA determined that these helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of Italy and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to a bilateral agreement with Italy, EASA, its technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the EASA EAD. The FAA says it is issuing the EAD after evaluation all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs.

FMI: EAD