EASA AD No.: 2010-0272-E 

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS 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 the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation. 

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. 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 operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [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, AB212, 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 these 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 detected 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 blades that are currently held as spares. 

Effective Date: 24 December 2010 

EASA Form 111 Page 1/2 
EASA 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 one 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 substantiated, 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 publication and notification. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness 

Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification Directorate, 

EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical 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. 

EASA Form 111 Page 2/2