EASA AD No.: 2006-0357R1 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2006-0357R1 

Date: 22 April 2010 

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 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 Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that Airworthiness Directive 

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) : 

AB139 and AW139 helicopters 

TCDS Number : EASA R.006 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Revision : This AD revises EASA AD 2006-0357 dated 26 November 2006 

ATA 53 Fuselage – Frame 5700 Middle Section - Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): Agusta S.p.A. 

Applicability: AB139 and AW139 helicopters, all serial numbers (S/N) except S/N 31002, 

31003, 31004 and 31007 and except S/N where one of the following applies: 

- installation of retro modification P/N 3G5306P08512 on frames P/N 

3P5338A13352 (LH) and 3P5338A13452 (RH) as per Agusta Bollettino 

Tecnico (BT) 139-089 

or 

- installation of retro modification P/N 3G5306P22311 on frames P/N 

3P5338A13353 (LH) and 3P5338A13453 (RH) as per Agusta Bollettino 

Tecnico (BT) 139-089 

or 

- installation of frame P/N: 

3P5338A13354 (LH) and 3P5338A13454 (RH). 

Reason: Tests have shown that the Agusta AB/AW 139’s Fuselage Frame 5700 

middle section is prone to fatigue damage. To prevent cracks or structural 

failure in this area, a repetitive inspection has been introduced as a 

temporary measure by ENAC AD 2005-438. 

 EASA AD 2006-0357 retained this requirement and expanded the 

applicability to include AW 139 models. No additional requirements were 

introduced by this directive. 
EASA AD No.: 2006-0357R1 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

This AD revision reduces the applicability to helicopters where none of the 

modifications listed in the AD Applicability is embodied. 

Effective Date: Original Issue: 13 December 2006 

Revision 1: 06 May 2010 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within the next 10 flight hours (FH) after 07 November 2005 [the 

effective date of ENAC AD 2005-438] or upon accumulating 100 FH 

time-in-service since new, whichever occurs later, inspect the fuselage 

frame 5700 middle section in accordance with the instructions of Agusta 

Bolletino Tecnico (BT) 139-018 Revision B dated October 18, 2006 or 

later revisions; 

(2) Thereafter, at intervals not exceeding 100 FH, repeat the inspection as 

required by paragraph (1) of this directive; 

(3) When damage or cracks are found, before next flight, contact the TC 

Holder (address details in the ‘remarks’ section of this directive) for 

further instructions and accomplish them accordingly.

Ref. Publications: Agusta BT 139-018 Revision B dated 18 October 2006; 

Agusta BT 139-089 original issue dated 19 February 2010. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

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

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. The safety assessment of the original issue of this AD has requested not 

to implement the full consultation process and an immediate publication 

and notification. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be addressed 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., an AgustaWestland company, Via G. Agusta 520, 21017 

Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Italy; 

telephone +39-0331-229111; facsimile +39-0331-229605 or 222595; 

E-mail: info@agustawestland.com .