EASA AD No.: 2013-0152-E 

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EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2013-0152-E 

Date: 17 July 2013 

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 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): 

AB 412 helicopters

TCDS Number: ENAC Italy SO/A 375 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Supersedure: None 

ATA 62 Rotor(s) – Swashplate Assembly / Swashplate – Inspection / 

Replacement 

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

Applicability: AB 412 helicopters, all manufacturer serial numbers. 

Reason: Two cases of swashplate outer ring assemblies Part Number (P/N) 412-010-

407-105 crack were reported on AB 412 helicopters. The subsequent 

investigation results revealed fatigue failure as the cause of reported cracking. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could 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 AgustaWestland issued Bollettino 

Tecnico (BT) 412-134 to provide inspection and replacement instructions for 

the swashplate outer ring. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive inspections of the 

affected swashplate outer ring and, depending on findings, replacement. This 

AD also requires replacement of the affected P/N 412-010-407-105 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 2013 
EASA AD No.: 2013-0152-E 

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 5 flight hours (FH) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter 

at intervals not to exceed 25 FH, inspect the swashplate outer ring P/N 

412-010-407-105 for cracks in accordance with instructions of 

AgustaWestland BT 412-134. 

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

swashplate outer ring is detected, before next flight, replace the 

swashplate outer ring P/N 412-010-407-105 with a serviceable part in 

accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland BT 412-134. 

(3) Within 300 FH or 8 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs first, unless already accomplished as required 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 ring, as required by 

paragraph (2) or (3) of this AD, constitutes terminating 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 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, 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. Customer Support 

Via del Gregge, 100 - 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) – Italy 

Telephone + 39 0331-664873 ; Fax: + 39 0331-664680 

E-mail: absereng@agustawestland.com.