Airworthiness Directives; AGUSTA S.p.A. Helicopters

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AW139 helicopters to determine if the hardware that attaches the upper end of collective control rod C2 to torque tube C3 is properly installed. This AD is prompted by the discovery of an incorrectly-attached collective control rod. These actions are intended to prevent separation of the collective control rod from the torque tube, loss of control of the collective pitch, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Agency Contact: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222 5110; email sharon.y.miles@faa.gov.