AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Agusta 109 Series Helicopters

AD/A109/37 Tail Rotor Blades P/N 109-813 AD/A109/37 Tail Rotor Blades P/N 109-8132-01-111 4/2003

AD/A109/37 Tail Rotor Blades P/N 109-8132-01-111 4/2003

Applicability: All Agusta A109E helicopters equipped with tail rotor blades part number 109-8132- 01-107 or -109, and all tail rotor blades part number 109-8132-01-107 or -109 in storage which have accumulated flight hours on the Model 109E helicopter.

Requirement: Remove from service, all tail rotor blades part number 109-8132-01-107 and -109, and replace with part number 109-8132-01-111 tail rotor blades.

Note: Tail rotor blade part number 109-8132-01-111 has a retirement life of 1,000 flight hours.

Note: ENAC AD 2001-496 refers.

Compliance: Before further flight after 17 April 2003, unless already accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 April 2003.

Background: Reports were received from operators of the occurrence of cracks on tail rotor blades part number 109-8132-01-107 and -109. In response, the manufacturer has developed improved tail rotor blades by modifying the manufacturing process and increasing the thickness of the blade skins; with resultant increased structural strength.

David Alan Villiers

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 March 2003