Action
Final rule.
Summary
The FAA is superseding emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-23-52, which applied to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 and AW189 helicopters. AD 2018-23-52 required inspecting the nut, cotter pin, lock-wire, and hinge bracket connected to the tail rotor servo-actuator (TRA) feedback lever link, and each connection of the TRA feedback lever link, and repair if necessary. AD 2018-23-52 also required applying a paint stripe or torque seal on the nut and reporting certain information. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the TRA, repetitive inspections and checks of the tail rotor duplex bearings (TR DB), installation of an improved TRA and TR DB, repetitive installations and checks of thermal strips, replacement of the improved TR DB (life limit), and applicable corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a report of an accident of a Model AW169 helicopter, which was observed to have lost yaw control prior to the accident and a determination that certain inspections and checks of the TR DB, installation of an improved TRA and TR DB, certain other actions, and applicable corrective actions are necessary to address the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.