AD 2018-07-08
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Agusta | S.p.A. | Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters |
Unsafe Condition
A crack found in a bolt, part number (P/N) 709-0160-57-101, during a pre-flight inspection of a Model A109E helicopter. This part-numbered bolt is also installed on Model A109K2, A109LUH, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters. Subsequent investigation did not identify the cause of the crack. EASA advises that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of the tail rotor, possibly resulting in loss of control of the helicopter.
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Required Actions
Before further flight, removing from service any bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has reached or exceeded its new life limit. Within 25 hours time-in-service, inspecting each bolt for a crack using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, both before and after cleaning and degreasing the bolts, and replacing a cracked bolt before further flight. Thereafter, removing from service any bolt P/N 709-0160-57-101 before it reaches its new life limit.
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Compliance Time
Before further flight
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Affected Aircraft
Agusta Model A109E, A109K2, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and AW119 MKII helicopters
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Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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