EASA AD No.: 2011-0226-E

EASA Form 111 Page 1/2

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2011-0226-E

Date: 02 December 2011

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 EC 1702/2003, 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].

Type Approval Holder’s Name :

Agusta 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 Control System – Inspection / 

Installation

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

Applicability: AW139 helicopters Serial Numbers (S/N) 31306, 31314, 31317, 31319,

31320, 31322, 31323 and from S/N 31325 to S/N 31345 (except S/N 31329, 

S/N 31333, S/N 31338, S/N 31339 and S/N 31341) not having yet performed 

the first 1-year inspection.

Reason: An occurrence of incorrect installation of a collective control rod has been 

reported. This discrepancy was identified in service, during the 

accomplishment of the first 1-year inspection performed on the helicopter.

The results of the subsequent technical investigation, carried out by 

AgustaWestland, concluded that this discrepancy could potentially affect a 

number of helicopters for which the production quality control did not require 

recording the applied torque on the bolt attaching the collective control rod to 

the torque tube.

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

detachment of the collective control rod, resulting in loss of control of the 

helicopter.

To address this unsafe condition, AgustaWestland have developed Bollettino 

Tecnico (BT) 139-275, which gives instructions to inspect the proper 

installation of the affected collective control rod.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires accomplishment of an

inspection of the flight control rods (C2) and, depending on findings, proper 

re-installation of the affected parts.

Effective Date: 03 December 2011
EASA AD No.: 2011-0226-E

EASA Form 111 Page 2/2

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless already accomplished:

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

date of this AD, accomplish a visual inspection of the connection 

between the flight control rod C2 and the torque tube C3, in accordance 

with the Compliance Instructions of AgustaWestland BT 139-275.

(2) If any discrepancy is identified during the inspection as required by 

paragraph (1) of this AD, before next flight, re-install the flight control 

rods in accordance with the Compliance Instructions of AgustaWestland 

BT 139-275.

Ref. Publications: AgustaWestland BT 139-275, dated 1 December 2011.

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 safety assessment has required not to implement the full 

consultation process and an immediate publication and notification.

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.