# Proposed AD FAA-2012-0501: Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2012-23-02
- Products: Agusta
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: May 22, 2012, 77 FR 30234
- Comments due: July 23, 2012
- Became: [AD 2012-23-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2012-23-02)
- Docket: FAA-2012-0501 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2012-0501, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2009-SW-083-AD
- FR document: 2012-12354
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/20/06/2006b9a403ac60b541b6f500295c08e4d95f4c46537143c598703581ce723507 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2012-05-22/pdf/2012-12354.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/05/22/2012-12354/airworthiness-directives-agusta-spa-helicopters
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DFF5FDA3D9D0BC1086257A06004A720D.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2012-0501

## Summary

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109E and Model A109S helicopters with certain lower semichannel assemblies installed. This proposed AD results from reported cases of damage to the main drive shaft caused by improperly secured metallic spacers on some A109 model helicopters. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the lower semichannel assemblies to determine if metallic spacers are installed. If the metallic spacers are installed, this proposed AD would require an inspection for the correct installation of the metallic spacers on the semichannels and for the correct seating of the gaskets. If the metallic spacers are not installed with rivets, the lower semichannel assemblies would be required to be modified, and the main drive shaft would be inspected for damage. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect missing spacer rivets, which could allow the metallic spacers to rotate and lead to damage and failure of the main drive shaft, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

## Notices in this docket

- May 22, 2012: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2012-12354, comments due Jul 23, 2012 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/05/22/2012-12354/airworthiness-directives-agusta-spa-helicopters)

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.