EASA AD No.: 2013-0152-E

TE.CAP.00111-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 1/2 Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Co nfirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Int ranet. 

## EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0152-E

Date: 17 July 2013

Note: This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) i s issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the E uropean Community, its Member States and of the European third countries that participat e in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EU 748/2012, P art 21.A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be en sured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Conseque ntly, no person may operate an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordan ce with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwi se 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, A rticle 14(4) exemption].


### Design Approval Holder’s Name: AgustaWestland S.p.A Type/Model designation(s): AB 412 helicopters

TCDS Number: ENAC Italy SO/A 375

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None



### ATA 62 Rotor(s) – Swashplate Assembly / Swashplate – Inspe ction / Replacement

Manufacturer(s): AgustaWestland S.p.A (formerly Agu sta S.p.A.),

Applicability: AB 412 helicopters, all manufacturer serial numbers.

Reason: Two cases of swashplate outer ring assembli es Part Number (P/N) 412-010- 407-105 crack were reported on AB 412 helicopters. The subsequent investigation results revealed fatigue failure as t he cause of reported cracking.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, coul d lead to the loss of main rotor blade pitch control, possibly resulting in loss of control of the helicopter.

To address this potential unsafe condition AgustaWe stland issued Bollettino Tecnico (BT) 412-134 to provide inspection and repl acement instructions for the swashplate outer ring.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires r epetitive inspections of the affected swashplate outer ring and, depending on fi ndings, replacement. This AD also requires replacement of the affected P/N 41 2-010-407-105 swashplate outer rings with improved P/N 412-010-407-117 outer rings, which is a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Effective Date: 19 July 2013EASA AD No.: 2013-0152-E

TE.CAP.00111-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 2/2 Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Co nfirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Int ranet. Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s): Required as indicated, unless accomplished previous ly: (1) Within 5 flight hours (FH) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 FH, inspect the swash plate outer ring P/N 412-010-407-105 for cracks in accordance with instr uctions of AgustaWestland BT 412-134. (2) If, during any inspection as required by paragr aph (1) of this AD, a cracked swashplate outer ring is detected, before next flig ht, replace the swashplate outer ring P/N 412-010-407-105 with a se rviceable part in accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland BT 412-134. (3) Within 300 FH or 8 months after the effective d ate of this AD, whichever occurs first, unless already accomplished as requir ed by paragraph (2) of this AD, replace the swashplate outer ring P/N 412- 010-407-105 with a P/N 412-010-407-117 swashplate outer ring in accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland BT 412-134. (4) Replacement on a helicopter of swashplate outer ring P/N 412-010-407- 105 with a P/N 412-010-407-117 swashplate outer rin g, as required by paragraph (2) or (3) of this AD, constitutes termin ating action for the repetitive inspections as required by paragraph (1) of this AD for that helicopter. (5) After modification of a helicopter as required by paragraph (3) of this AD, do not install a swashplate outer ring P/N 412-010- 407-105 on that helicopter. (6) For helicopters that, on the effective date of this AD, do not have a swashplate outer ring P/N 412-010-407-105 installed , from the effective date of this AD, do not install a swashplate outer ring P/N 412-010-407-105 on that helicopter.

Ref. Publications: AgustaWestland BT 412-134 dated 15 July 2013. The use of later approved revisions of this documen t is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EA SA can approve Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 2. The results of the safety assessment have indica ted the need for immediate publication and notification, without the full public consultation process. 3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred t o the Safety Information Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 4. For any question concerning the technical conten t of the requirements in this AD, please contact: AgustaWestland S.p.A. Customer Support Via del Gregge, 100 - 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) – I taly Telephone + 39 0331-664873 ; Fax: + 39 0331-664680 E-mail: absereng@agustawestland.com

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