EASA AD No.: 2012-0262 

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2012-0262 

Date: 14 December 2012 

Note: This 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 EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.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]. 

Design Approval Holder’s Name: 

AgustaWestland S.p.A.

Type/Model designation(s): 

AB139 and AW139 helicopters

TCDS Number: EASA.R.006 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Supersedure: None 

ATA 32 Landing Gear – Nose Landing Gear Arm Pin Installation – 

Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): AgustaWestland S.p.A. (formerly Agusta S.p.A.) and AgustaWestland 

Philadelphia Corporation (formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation) 

Applicability: AB139 and AW139 helicopters, with the following serial numbers:

31005, 31006, 31008 to 31157 inclusive, 31201 to 31398 inclusive, 31400 to 

31412 inclusive, 31414, 31416, 31418, 31419, 31421, 31425, 31426, 31428, 

31432, 31440, 41001 to 41023 inclusive, 41201 to 41275 inclusive, 41277 to 

41286 inclusive, 41288, 41293, 41300, 41301, 41303, 41307, 41308 and 

41310. 

Reason: Incorrect installation of the nose landing gear (NLG) pin P/N 1661-0001 was 

verified on some aircraft in service, causing a pre-stress condition on the pin 

flange. The results of the subsequent technical investigation, carried out by 

AgustaWestland, concluded that this discrepancy could potentially affect a 

number of other helicopters. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG structural 

failure and consequent NLG collapse during landing or taxi, possibly resulting 

in damage to the helicopter and injury to the occupants. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of 

the NLG to verify proper installation of the affected NLG pins on both left and 

right arms and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable 

corrective actions. 

Effective Date: 28 December 2012 
EASA AD No.: 2012-0262 

TE.CAP.00110-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 2/2 

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) For helicopters equipped with NLG assembly P/N 3G3220V00133 or P/N 

3G3220V00135, within 50 flight hours or 1 month, whichever occurs first 

after the effective date of this AD, accomplish a visual inspection of the 

NLG pin installation on both left and right arms in accordance with the 

instructions of AgustaWestland BT 139-306. 

(2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any 

discrepancy is detected, before next flight, accomplish the applicable 

corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland 

BT 139-306. 

Ref. Publications: AgustaWestland BT 139-306, dated 12 December 2012. 

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. Based on the required actions and the compliance time, EASA have 

decided to issue a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the 

public consultation process until after publication. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact AgustaWestland S.p.A.: 

E-mail: aw139.mbx@agustawestland.com.