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2016-01-15: Fuselage Structure (General)

FAA order 2016-01-15 is an airworthiness directive in force since February 25, 2016. The FAA's subject line: Fuselage Structure (General). It names Agusta Spa AB139, Agusta Spa AW139: about 22 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: airframe structure.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Agusta S.p.A.
Models
AB139, AW139
On this site
Agusta Spa AB139 8 registered
Agusta Spa AW139 14 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
February 25, 2016
Published
January 21, 2016 (signed January 6, 2016)
Docket
FAA-2015-1935
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD requires visually inspecting certain subfloor frames for a crack. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on in-service helicopters. The actions of this AD are intended to detect or prevent a crack in the subfloor frame, which could result in failure of the pilot and co-pilot pedal support frame and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,715 characters)
Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: [[Page 3310]] PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2016-01-15 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-18374; Docket No. FAA-2015- 1935; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-008-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Agusta S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 31005 through 31517 (except S/N 31007, 31415, 31431, 31491, 31500, 31508, and 31516) and S/N 41001 through 41356 (except S/N 41355), certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a subfloor frame. This condition could result in failure of the pilotand co- pilot pedal support frame and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective February 25, 2016. (d) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time. (e) Required Actions (1) Within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS, using a light, inspect all visible surfaces of the left hand subfloor frame, right hand subfloor frame, and middle subfloor frame at station (STA) 2105 for a crack as shown in Figures 10 through 13 of AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-311, Revision B, dated June 4, 2014 (BT 139-311). (2) If there is a crack, before further flight, install frame STA 2105 retromod part number (P/N) 3G5306P47211 by following the Compliance Instructions, Part II, paragraphs 7 through 7.10. of BT 139-311. (3) If there areno cracks, within 1200 hours TIS, install frame STA 2105 retromod P/N 3G5306P47211 by following the Compliance Instructions, Part II, paragraphs 7 through 7.10. of BT 139-311. (4) Installing frame STA 2105 retromod P/N 3G5306P47211 terminates the repetitive inspection requirements in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. (f) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222- 5110; email [email protected]. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. (h) Additional Information The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2014-0048, dated March 4, 2014. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2015-1935. (i) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5300, Fuselage Structure (General). (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-311, Revision B, dated June 4, 2014. (ii) Reserved. (3) For Agusta S.p.A. service information identified in this AD, contact AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del Gregge, 100, 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bulletins. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N- 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2010-01-07NM-10-12 · Navigation: Flight Management System

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2016-01-15.json · aircraft systems.