EASA AD No.: 2012-0213-E

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EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2012-0213-E

Date: 16 October 2012

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 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 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):

AW139 helicopters

TCDS Number: EASA.R.006

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 27 Flight Control – Collective and Cyclic Control System – Inspection / 

Restoration

Manufacturer(s): AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (formerly Agusta Aerospace 

Corporation).

Applicability: AW139 helicopters manufacturer serial number (S/N) from S/N 41201 to S/N 

41310 (except S/N 41290, S/N 41291, S/N 41292, S/N 41302, 41304, 41305, 

41306 and 41309) not having yet performed the first scheduled 1 200 Flight 

Hours (FH) / 2 years checks (or the first 1 year checks for saline and/or high 

humidity environment operation conditions).

Reason: An occurrence of incorrect installation of pilot collective stick, pilot cyclic stick 

and co-pilot cyclic stick was reported. This discrepancy was identified in 

service, during a defect rectification carried out following a service difficulty. 

The results of the subsequent technical investigation, carried out by 

AgustaWestland, concluded that this discrepancy could potentially affect a 

number of other helicopters.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to in-flight detachment 

of the cyclic and collective sticks, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter. 

To address this unsafe condition, AgustaWestland have developed Bollettino 

Tecnico (BT) 139-308, which gives instructions to inspect the proper installation 

of the affected cyclic and collective sticks. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires accomplishment of a onetime inspection of the collective and cyclic sticks of the helicopter and, 

depending on findings, the accomplishment of applicable corrective actions.
EASA AD No.: 2012-0213-E

TE.CAP.00111-003 © European Aviation Safety Agency. All rights reserved. 2/2

Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.

Effective Date: 18 October 2012

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 5 flight hours or 1 week, whichever occurs first after the effective 

date of this AD, accomplish a one-time visual inspection of the pilot and copilot collective stick and pilot and co-pilot cyclic stick in accordance with the 

Compliance Instructions of AgustaWestland BT 139-308.

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

discrepancy is identified, before next flight, re-install the pilot and co-pilot 

collective and cyclic sticks, as applicable, in accordance with the 

Compliance Instructions of AgustaWestland BT 139-308.

Ref. Publications: AgustaWestland BT 139-308, dated 16 October 2012.

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.:

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