EASA AD No.: 2015-0190-E

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EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2015-0190-E

Date: 18 September 2015

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 EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with EU 1321/2014 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

[EU 1321/2014 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):

A109A and A109AII helicopters

TCDS Number: EASA.R.005

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 62 Main Rotor – Blades – Inspection

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

Applicability: A109A and A109AII helicopters, all serial numbers.

Reason: Abnormal vibrations were reported during flight on an A109AII helicopter. 

During post flight inspection, a crack was found on a main rotor blade (MRB) 

part number (P/N) 109-0103-01-9.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the structural integrity 

of the blade, possibly resulting in blade failure and loss of control of the 

helicopter.

Prompted by this finding, AgustaWestland issued Bollettino Tecnico (BT) 

109-150, providing instructions for pre-flight and repetitive inspections of the 

affected MRB.

Due to similarity of design, the inspections also apply to MRB P/N 

109-0103-01-7 and P/N 109-0103-01-115.

For the reason described above, this AD requires pre-flight inspections and 

repetitive inspections on affected MRB.

Effective Date: 22 September 2015
EASA AD No.: 2015-0190-E

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Note 1: For the purpose of this AD, an affected MRB is identified by P/N 

109-0103-01-7, or P/N 109-0103-01-9, or P/N 109-0103-01-115.

(1) Upon accumulating 500 flight hours (FH) by an affected MRB (see Note 1 

of this AD) since first installation on a helicopter, or before next flight, 

whichever occurs later after the effective date of this AD, and, thereafter,

before each flight, visually inspect that MRB in accordance with Part I of 

the compliance instructions of AgustaWestland BT 109-150.

Note 2: The inspections required by paragraph (1) of this AD may be performed 

by appropriately trained and authorized flight crew members and/or pilot owner, 

in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Part M and Part 

145 provisions.

(2) Upon accumulating 500 FH by an affected MRB (see Note 1 of this AD) 

since first installation on a helicopter, or before first flight of any day, 

whichever occurs later after the effective date of this AD, and, thereafter, 

before first flight of each day, inspect that MRB in accordance with Part II 

of the compliance instructions of AgustaWestland BT 109-150.

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

applicable, any crack is found, before next flight, replace the affected MRB

with a serviceable MRB in accordance with the applicable maintenance 

manual.

(4) Replacement of a MRB on a helicopter as required by paragraph (3) of this 

AD does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections 

required by paragraph (1) and (2) of this AD for that helicopter.

(5) Amendment of the applicable Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting a 

copy of this AD, and thereafter, operating the helicopter accordingly, is an 

acceptable way to show compliance with paragraph (1) of this AD. After 

revising the RFM it is not necessary that accomplishment of individual 

inspections is recorded for demonstration of AD compliance on a continued 

basis.

Ref. Publications: AgustaWestland BT 109-150 original issue dated 17 September 2015.

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. The results of the safety assessment have indicated the need for 

immediate publication and notification, without the full public consultation 

process.

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

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:

AgustaWestland S.p.A., Customer Support & Services – Italy, 

Product Support Engineering DPT, via Indipendenza, 2 

21018 Sesto Calende (VA) – Italy 

Tel.: +39 0331 915874, Fax: +39 0331 664680 

E-mail: custserv@agustawestland.com.