EASA AD No.: 2013-0185

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0185

Date: 14 August 2013

Note: This 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 205, AB 212 and AB 412 helicopters

TCDS Number: ENAC Italy A 370 and A 157

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 64 Tail Rotor – Tail Rotor Blades – Inspection / Repair / Replacement

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

Applicability: AB 205A1, AB 212, AB 412 and AB 412EP helicopters, all manufacturer serial 

numbers

Reason: Some cases of tail rotor (T/R) blade failures have been reported by Bell 

Helicopter for T/R blade Part Numbers (P/N) 212-010-750-ALL (where “ALL” 

represents a placeholder for any number). Investigations conducted by Bell 

determined that the failure originated from a fatigue crack deriving from surface

damages. 

No similar failure has been reported for T/R blades installed on 

AgustaWestland helicopters, but the affected T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-ALL

may also be installed on AB 205A1, AB 212, AB 412 and AB 412EP 

helicopters.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could potentially lead to a T/R 

structural failure, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter.

To address this unsafe condition, AgustaWestland issued Bollettino Tecnico 

(BT) 205A1-134, BT 212-203 and BT 412-136 providing instructions for detailed

visual inspections of the tail rotor blade surface and, in case of findings, 

corrective actions.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires detailed visual inspections

of the tail rotor blade surface for nicks, dents, scratches, corrosion or cracks 

and, in case of findings, repair or replacement of affected T/R blades.
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Effective Date: 21 August 2013

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) For helicopters on which T/R blade P/N 212-010-750-ALL is installed, 

within 25 flight hours (FH) or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs first, and, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 25 FH or 

30 days, whichever occurs first, accomplish a detailed visual inspection of 

the affected T/R entire blade surface for cracks, corrosion, nicks, dents and 

scratches in accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland BT 

205A1-134, BT 212-203 or BT 412-136, as applicable to helicopter model.

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

damage is detected on the T/R blade surface, before next flight, remove the 

paint from the affected area and accomplish a detailed visual inspection of 

the affected area in accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland BT 

205A1-134, BT 212-203 or BT 412-136, as applicable to helicopter model.

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

scratch or dent is detected, before next flight, accomplish a detailed visual 

inspection of the affected area and measure the depth of the damage in 

accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland BT 205A1-134, 

BT 212-203 or BT 412-136, as applicable to helicopter model.

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

any crack is detected or any damage or corrosion is found which is outside 

the limits defined in the applicable Maintenance Manual (MM), before next 

flight, remove the T/R blade and replace it with a serviceable blade.

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

damage or corrosion is found which is inside the limits defined in the 

applicable MM, before next flight, repair the damage or remove the 

corrosion in accordance with the instructions of the applicable MM.

(6) Repair and replacement of affected T/R blades as required by paragraph 

(4) and (5) of this AD does not constitute terminating action for the 

repetitive inspections as required by paragraph (1) of this AD.

(7) From the effective date of this AD, do not install on any helicopter a T/R 

blade P/N 212-010-750-ALL unless the T/R blade is in compliance with the 

requirements of this AD.

Ref. Publications: AgustaWestland BT 205A1-134 original issue dated 13 August 2013.

AgustaWestland BT 212-203 original issue dated 13 August 2013.

AgustaWestland BT 412-136 original issue dated 13 August 2013.

BHT-205A1-MM Revision 7 dated 08 July 2013.

BHT-212-MM issue Revision 13 dated 16 September 2010.

AB412-MM issue Revision 3 dated 06 June 2012.

The use of later approved revisions of these documents 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. Based on the required actions and the compliance time, EASA have 

decided to issue a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the 

public consultation process until after publication.

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

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.
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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 del Gregge, 100, 

21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) – ITALY

Tel.: +39 0331 664905, Fax: +39 0331 664684