ALERT 

TRANSLATION OF 

BOLLETTINO TECNICO

N° 109SP-032

The technical content of this document is approved 

under the authority of DOA nr EASA.21J.005. 

DATE August 05, 2011

REV. xxxxxxx 

Compliance with 

this bollettino is: 

 ALERT Page 1 of 6

SUBJECT: INSPECTION OF THE LEFT ELEVATOR ASSY P/N 109-0200-02-803

AND RIGHT ELEVATOR ASSY P/N 109-0200-02-804.

REASON: Introduce an inspection to the subject elevators to verify the presence of 

cracks on the upper skin.

HELICOPTERS AFFECTED:

All the Agusta AW109SP helicopters.

COMPLIANCE:

 For those left elevator assy P/N 109-0200-02-803 and/or right elevator 

assy P/N 109-0200-02-804 having less than 400 (four hundred) flight 

hours:

at reaching of 400 (four hundred) flight hours within and not later 

than 30 (thirty) flight hours and subsequently each 50 (fifty) flight 

hours.

 For those left elevator assy P/N 109-0200-02-803 and/or right elevator 

assy P/N 109-0200-02-804 having more or equal than 400 (four 

hundred) flight hours:

within and not later than 30 (thirty) flight hours after the receipt of 

this Bollettino and however within and not later than November 30, 

2011, and subsequently each 50 (fifty) flight hours.

DESCRIPTION:

A case of fracture of the left elevator along the riveting of the upper skin 

to the fourth rib has been reported on an A109S helicopter.

The performed investigations have revealed that the fracture reported on 

the elevator is due to fatigue.

MANDATORY

An appropriate entry should be made in the aircraft log book upon accomplishment.

If ownership of aircraft has changed, please, forward to new owner.

An Company

Via GiovanniAgusta, 520

21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) Italy

Tel.: +39 0331-229111 - Fax: +39 0331-229605/222595
B.T. 109SP-032

Page 2 of 6

The left and right elevators installed of the A109S helicopters are very 

similar to the left elevator assy P/N 109-0200-02-803 and right elevator 

assy P/N 109-0200-02-804 of the AW109SP helicopters.

This Bollettino is issued in order to provide the necessary instructions to 

perform a visual inspection with a 5÷10 magnification lens to verify the

presence of cracks on the upper skin of the left elevator assy P/N 109-

0200-02-803 and right elevator assy P/N 109-0200-02-804, in 

correspondence of the riveting of the upper skin to the fourth rib.

In case of doubt about the presence or absence of cracks are also given 

instructions to carry out an inspection penetrant.

REQUIRED MANPOWER:

Negligible.

In case of liquid penetrant inspection 1 (one) hour for each elevator assy.

WARRANTY:

Within the calendar terms mentioned at point “Compliance”, the parts 

required to apply the present Bollettino shall be supplied on a free of 

charge basis by Agusta upon Customer’s request, except for consumable 

materials.

Upon application of this Bollettino, Customers are requested to submit to 

Agusta Warranty Administration the Technical Bulletin Compliance form, 

attached to this Bulletin duly completed in all its parts, and relevant 

M.M.I.R. (Maintenance Malfunction Information Report).

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

The following materials could be required for compliance with this 

Bollettino:

P/N DENOMINATION Q.TY

109-0200-02-803 Left elevator assy 1

109-0200-02-804 Right elevator assy 1

The following consumable materials are required for compliance with this 

Bollettino:

SPECIFICATION DENOMINATION Q.TY

TT-N-95 type 2 Aliphatic Naphtha A.R.

(code 531055030)

Commercial Gauze A.R.

(code 590164695)

SPECIAL TOOLS:

The following special tools are required for compliance with this 

Bollettino:

P/N DENOMINATION

Commercial 5÷10 magnification lens

P6R Penetrant ARDROX

9PR5 Solvent ARDROX

9D1B Developer ARDROX
B.T. 109SP-032

Page 3 of 6

P/N DENOMINATION

Commercial Fine-pointed brush

Commercial White light source of at least 1000 lux

Commercial Soft brush

WEIGHT AND BALANCE CHANGES:

N.A.

REFERENCES:

0B-A-AMP-00-X Maintenance Publication.

PUBLICATIONS AFFECTED:

0B-B-AMPI-00-P-EASA Maintenance Planning Information;

0B-B-AMPI-00-P-FAA Maintenance Planning Information;

0B-C-AMPI-00-P-EASA Maintenance Planning Information;

0B-A-AMP-00-X Maintenance Publication.

COMPLIANCE INSTRUCTIONS:

(See figure 1)

1. Prepare the helicopter on ground for a safe maintenance, 

disconnect any power supply.

2. Gain access to the upper side of the left elevator assy P/N 109-

0200-02-803 and accurately clean inspection area using a gauze 

soaked in aliphatic naphtha (ref. figure 1).

3. Using a 5÷10 magnification lens perform a visual inspection to 

verify the presence of cracks in the elevator upper skin in 

correspondence of the fourth rib fixing rivets line in the area 

shown in figure 1.

3.1 In case on the elevator upper skin there is NOT presence of 

cracks, no corrective action is required. Proceed as described in 

steps 4 and following.

3.2 In case on the elevator upper skin there is presence of cracks, 

contact the AgustaWestland, and the elevator must be removed, 

in accordance with the instructions given in the 0B-A-AMP-00-X 

Maintenance Publication, to perform a repair.

3.3 In case of doubt about the presence of cracks on the elevator 

upper skin, proceed in the following liquid penetrant inspection:

CAUTION

Personnel conducting the liquid penetrant 

inspection must be qualified in accordance 

with EN4179/NAS410A practise or other 

equivalent practise or standard.
B.T. 109SP-032

Page 4 of 6

3.3.1 If necessary clean again with aliphatic naphtha the area to 

inspect in order to remove the contaminants. Leave dry the 

aliphatic naphtha.

3.3.2 Outline the area to inspect using only tape in which the does not 

absorb the solvent.

NOTE

The penetrant, the part to be inspected 

and the room temperatures shall be 

between 15÷45 °C.

3.3.3 Using a fine-pointed brush apply the P6R penetrant in all the 

area to inspect (ref. figure 1) for 30÷40 minutes dwell time.

3.3.4 Under a white light source of at least 1000 lux, remove excess 

penetrant firstly with a dry clean gauze and then a gauze 

dampened (NOT SOAKED) with 9PR5 solvent.

NOTE

The solvent must never be poured directly 

over the area to inspect.

3.3.5 Repeat the removal of the excess penetrant with gauze 

dampened with 9PR5 solvent, until it was completely removed 

any residual background colour.

3.3.6 After complete evaporation of solvent, apply a thin uniform layer 

of 9D1B developer spraying it from a distance of 30÷40 cm. Prior 

to use shake the developer spray can for at least 1 minute.

CAUTION

Accidental developer leakages require the 

full clean of the part and the full re 

processing of the part.

3.3.7 After 10 minutes of developer dwell time, carefully check the 

inspection area (ref. figure 1) to interpret any red signs on a white 

background.

CAUTION

The operator cannot wear sunglasses or 

photochromic lenses.

3.3.8 In case on the elevator upper skin there is presence of cracks, 

contact the AgustaWestland, and the elevator must be removed, 

in accordance with the instructions given in the 0B-A-AMP-00-X 

Maintenance Publication, to perform a repair.
B.T. 109SP-032

Page 5 of 6

3.3.9 After inspection, accurately clean the affected area from any 

used products residual with gauze soaked in 9PR5 solvent and 

eventually using a soft brush.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the right elevator assy P/N 109-0200-

02-804.

5. Return the helicopter to a ready to flight condition.

6. Record compliance with this Bollettino in the helicopter log book.
B.T. 109SP-032

Page 6 of 6

FIGURE 1
Note: 

Remarks:

Informazioni: 

Information:

Al fine di gestire le varianti alla configurazione base, in relazione all’emissione del Bollettino Tecnico, preghiamo di voler compilare il presente modulo in tutte le sue parti e spedirlo all’indirizzo sopra indicato. Si ringrazia per la gentile collaborazione data. 

We request your cooperation in filling this form, in order to keep out statistical data relevant to aircraft configuration up-to-date. The form should be filled in all 

its parts and sent to the above address. We thank you beforehand for the information given.

MODULO APPLICAZIONE BOLLETTINO TECNICO

TECHNICAL BULLETIN COMPLIANCE FORM

Data: 

Date:

Numero: 

Number:

Revisione: 

Revision:

Prego spedire a questo indirizzo: 

Please send to the following address: 

AGUSTA S.p.A. 

CUSTOMER SUPPORT & SERVICES - ITALY

PRODUCT SUPPORT ENGINEERING DPT.

Via del Gregge, 100

21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) - ITALY 

Tel.: +39 0331 664600

Fax: +39 0331 664684

Telefono: 

Telephone:

Fax:

Data Applicazione B.T.: 

B.T. Compliance Date:

Denominazione Cliente ed Indirizzo: 

Customer Name and Address:

Modello Elicottero 

Helicopter Model S/N Matricola Tail Number

Ore Totali 

Total Hours

Ore D.U.R. 

T.S.O.