EASA AD No.: 2013-0124

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0124

Date: 05 June 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):

AB139 and AW139 helicopters

TCDS Number: EASA.R.006

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: This AD supersedes EASA AD 2013-0090 dated 11 April 2013.

ATA 30 Ice and Rain Protection – Full Icing Protection System / Cable

Inspection – Tail Rotor Distributor Replacement

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

Philadelphia Corporation (formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation)

Applicability: AB139 and AW139 helicopters, with serial numbers (S/N) 31201 to S/N 31421 

inclusive and from S/N 41201 to S/N 41277 inclusive.

Reason: An event of arcing inside some components of the Full Ice Protection System 

(FIPS) has been reported. The results of the subsequent technical 

investigation indicated that improper insulation of one of the main rotor 

electrical cables was the likely cause for this arcing.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to other events of 

arcing, possibly resulting in fire and consequent damage to the helicopter and 

injury to occupants.

To address this potential unsafe condition, AgustaWestland published 

Bollettino Tecnico (BT) 139-324, providing instructions for inspection of

helicopters equipped with the FIPS and EASA issued AD 2013-0090 to

require a one-time inspection of the main and tail rotor electrical cables and, 

depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions.

Since that AD was issued, the results of additional investigations prompted

AgustaWestland to revise BT 139-324 to introduce more refined insulation 

limits and to remove the inspection of tail rotor (TR) cables. In addition, 

AgustaWestland issued BT 139-330 that includes instructions to replace the 

Tail Rotor Distributor (TRD) with an improved part that has increased 

dielectric strength.

For the reasons described above, this AD, which supersedes EASA AD
EASA AD No.: 2013-0124

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2013-0090 partially retaining its requirements, additionally requires installation 

of the improved TRD. This AD no longer requires inspecting the cables of the 

TR slip ring P/N 4G6420V00151 or P/N 4G6420V00152. In addition, as an 

alternative to the inspection, this AD gives possibility for a FIPS de-activation, 

in accordance with applicable helicopter Master Minimum Equipment List 

(MMEL), and re-activation.

This AD is still considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.

Effective Date: 19 June 2013

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) For helicopters equipped with the FIPS: Within 30 flight hours or 7 days,

whichever occurs first after 25 April 2013 [the effective date of EASA AD

2013-0090], accomplish an inspection and an insulation test of Main Rotor 

(MR) electrical cables Part Number (P/N) 3G9F12A01011, P/N 

3G9F12A01012 (pre BT 139-259) or P/N 3G9F12A01311 (post BT 139-

259), in accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland BT 139-324.

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

discrepancy is detected, before next flight, accomplish the applicable 

corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of AgustaWestland 

BT 139-324.

(3) From 25 April 2013 [the effective date of EASA AD 2013-0090], for 

helicopters equipped with FIPS, installation of any part as indicated in 

paragraph (1) is allowed, provided it is new, or it has passed the inspection 

and the insulation test as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, as 

applicable.

(4) As an alternative to the actions as required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of 

this AD, it is allowed to de-activate the FIPS and operate the helicopter in 

accordance with the provisions of the applicable helicopter MMEL. At any 

time after the FIPS has been de-activated, FIPS re-activation is possible, 

provided that, before next flight after FIPS re-activation, the FIPS is 

inspected and tested as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, and, 

depending on findings, corrected as required by paragraph (2) of this AD.

Note 1: A Partial Removal kit allows a temporary de-installation of some FIPS 

components when the FIPS kit is not to be used, and their re-installation when 

necessary.

(5) For helicopters equipped with FIPS, within the compliance times specified 

in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, replace the TRD P/N 4G3060V00452 

with an improved part in accordance with the instructions of 

AgustaWestland BT 139-330.

Table 1

FIPS Status Compliance Time

Installed and activated (see 

paragraph (4) of this AD)

90 days after the effective date 

of this AD

Installed and deactivated (see 

paragraph (4) of this AD)

Concurrent with FIPS reactivation

Partially de-installed (see Note 1 of 

this AD)

Concurrent with FIPS reinstallation
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Ref. Publications: AgustaWestland BT 139-324, Original issue dated 09 April 2013 or rev. A dated 

04 June 2013.

AgustaWestland BT 139-330 dated 04 June 2013.

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.

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.