EASA AD No.: 2014-0215-E

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EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2014-0215-E

Date: 24 September 2014

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) :

AB139 and AW139 helicopters

TCDS Number: EASA.R.006

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: This AD supersedes EASA Emergency AD 2014-0073-E dated 20 March 2014.

ATA 62 Main Rotor – Rotating Scissors – Inspection / Modification

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

Corporation (formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation).

Applicability: AB139 and AW139 helicopters, all serial numbers

Reason: Some cases of dislodging of lower half scissor spherical bearings Part Number 

(P/N) 3G6230V00654 have been reported on in-service helicopters. These

spherical bearings are installed on main rotor (M/R) Rotating Scissors P/N 

3G6230A00733. As a result of the investigations accomplished by the supplier 

of the spherical bearings, it was determined that a quality issue may have 

affected the production of these bearings.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to loss of control of the 

helicopter.

To address this potential unsafe condition, AgustaWestland published Alert 

Bollettino Tecnico (BT) 139-368, providing inspection and replacement 

instructions and identifying by serial number (s/n) specific batches of 

potentially affected M/R Rotating Scissors (Table 1 in the BT) and spherical 

bearings (Table 2 in the BT).

Consequently, EASA issued Emergency AD 2014-0073-E to require repetitive 

inspections of the affected M/R Rotating Scissors P/N 3G6230A00733. That 

AD also required replacement of the affected spherical bearings or, as an 

alternative, replacement of the affected M/R Rotating Scissors.

Since that AD was issued, further events occurred on some helicopters with

M/R Rotating Scissors P/N 3G6230A00733 installed. In particular, the liner of 
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the spherical bearing P/N 3G6230V00654 was found chipped and, in some 

cases, early excessive play was found. The affected bearings were not part of 

the s/n batch as initially established. Therefore, it was determined that all M/R 

Rotating Scissors P/N 3G6230A00733 with spherical bearing P/N 

3G6230V00654 are potentially affected.

To address these recent occurrences, AgustaWestland published BT 139-392

providing inspection and modification instructions.

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

modification of the M/R Rotating Scissors. Following modification, the 

inspection interval can be extended.

Effective Date: 26 September 2014

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless already accomplished:

Pre-modification Inspections

For helicopters equipped with M/R Rotating Scissors P/N 3G6230A00733, with 

a spherical bearing P/N 3G6230V00654, except those having special nut P/N 

3G6230A06851 installed (for post-mod, see paragraph (3) of this AD):

(1) Within 5 flight hours (FH) or 7 days, whichever occurs first after the 

effective date of this AD, and, thereafter, prior to each first flight of the 

day, inspect the M/R Rotating Scissors P/N 3G6230A00733 and 

accomplish an operational check for play and wear of the affected 

spherical bearings in accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland 

BT 139-392.

Modification

(2) Within 100 FH or 30 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date of

this AD, modify the lower M/R Rotating Scissors lever assembly

installation by introducing a special nut in accordance with the instructions 

of AgustaWestland BT 139-392.

Post-modification Inspections

For helicopters equipped with M/R Rotating Scissors P/N 3G6230A00733, with 

a spherical bearing P/N 3G6230V00654 and having special nut P/N 

3G6230A06851 installed:

(3) Within 25 FH after the effective date of this AD, or within 25 FH after 

modification as required by paragraph (2) of this AD, as applicable, and, 

thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 25 FH, inspect the M/R Rotating 

Scissors P/N 3G6230A00733 and accomplish an operational check for 

play and wear of the affected spherical bearings in accordance with the 

instructions of AgustaWestland BT 139-392.

Corrective Action(s)

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

applicable, any play beyond the limits or wear is detected, before next 

flight, replace each affected spherical bearing with a serviceable part or, 

as an alternative, replace the affected M/R Rotating Scissors.

(5) Replacement of parts on a helicopter as required by paragraph (4) of this 

AD does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections and 

operational checks as required by paragraph (1) or (3) of this AD, as 

applicable, for that helicopter.

Installation of parts

(6) From the effective date of this AD, installation on a helicopter of M/R 

Rotating Scissors P/N 3G6230A00733 or spherical bearings P/N 

3G6230V00654 is allowed, provided that, following installation, the 

helicopter is inspected as required by this AD.
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Ref. Publications: AgustaWestland BT 139-392, original issue dated 23 September 2014.

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. 

E-mail: aw139.mbx@agustawestland.com .