EASA AD No.: 2010-0272-E



## EASA EMERGENCY AIRW ORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2010-0272-E

Date: 22 December 2010

Note: This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the European third countries that participate in t he activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation. This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3 B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may opera te an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agenc y [EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].


### Type Approval Holder’s Name : Agusta S.p.A. Type/Model designation(s) : AB204, AB205, AB206, AB212 and AB412 helicopters

TCDS Number : Italy (ENAC) A370 (AB204/AB205A1), A372 (AB206) and A375 (AB212/AB412)

Foreign AD : Not applicable

Supersedure : None



### ATA 64 Tail Rotor – Tail Rotor Blades – Identification / Replacement

Manufacturer: Agusta S.p.A.

Applicability: AB204B, AB205A-1, AB206A, AB206B, AB 212, AB412 and AB412EP helicopters, all serial numbers.

Reason: Rotor Blades Inc. (RBI) informed Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) about four cases of tail rotor blade tip weight loss in flight. Investigation showed that these occurrences were caused by improper repair actions by RBI. To address this safety concern on Bell-manufactured helicopters, BHTI issued a number of Alert Service Bulletins (ASB), applicable to the US-manufactured and Canada-manufactured Bell type designs. To require the actions described in th ese ASB, Transport Canada recently issued Emergency AD CF-2007-21R1 and the FAA issued Emergency AD 2010-26-52. Although the unsafe condition has been det ected only on parts manufactured by Bell and installed on Bell Helicopters, the possibility exists that, due to Part Number (P/N) commonality between the rotor blade type designs, the affected parts may be installed on corresponding Agusta helicopter types. Consequently, Agusta have issued Bollettino Tecnico (BT) 204-124, BT 205A1-131, BT 206-248, BT 212-202 and BT 412-130, to inform affected owners and operators. For the reasons describe above, this AD requires the identification of any installed RBI-repaired tail rotor blades, listed by P/N and serial number in the affected Agusta BT, and replacement with serviceable parts. This AD also prohibits the installation of any affected tail rotor bl ades that are currently held as spares.

Effective Date: 24 December 2010

EASA Form 111 Page 1/2EASA AD No.: 2010-0272-E

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s): Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: (1) Before next flight after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following actions concurrently: (1.1) Identify the P/N and serial number (s /n) of the tail rotor blades installed on the helicopter, in accordance with the instructions of Agusta BT 204-124, BT 205A1-131, BT 206-248, BT 212-202 or BT 412-130, as applicable to helicopters type. (1.2) If the P/N and s/n of a tail rotor blade, identified as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, matches on e of those listed in the applicable Agusta BT, replace the affected blade with a serviceable part, having another s/n than those listed in the applicable Agusta BT. (2) From the effective date of this AD, do not install on any helicopter a tail rotor blade with a P/N and s/n listed in Agusta BT 204-124, BT 205A1-131, BT 206- 248, BT 212-202 or BT 412-130, as applicable to helicopters type.

Ref. Publications: Agusta Bollettino Tecnico BT 204-124 (AB204B helicopters), BT 205A1-131 (AB205A1 helicopters), BT 206-248 (AB206A and AB206B helicopters), BT 212-202 (AB212 helicopters) and BT 412-130 (AB412 and AB412EP helicopters), all dated 20 December 2010. The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of AD.

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately subs tantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 2. The safety assessment has requested not to implement the full consultation process and an immediate pub lication and notification. 3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certific ation Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu

. 4. For any question concerning the technica l content of the requirements in this AD, please contact: Agusta S.p.A. Customer Support - Via del Gregge, 100 - 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) – Italy Telephone + 39 0331 664873; Fax: + 39 0331 664680; E-mail: absereng@agustawestland.com

. Website link for BT download

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EASA Form 111 Page 2/2