# Proposed AD FAA-2015-3781: Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2016-18-18
- Products: Agusta
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: March 22, 2016, 81 FR 15171
- Comments due: May 23, 2016
- Became: [AD 2016-18-18](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2016-18-18)
- Docket: FAA-2015-3781 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2015-3781, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2015-SW-048-AD
- FR document: 2016-06373
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/eb/a1/eba1a97ecbd54343b0ead9166ed40b0ebb47fbd396872253dc07906699a38594 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-03-22/pdf/2016-06373.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/03/22/2016-06373/airworthiness-directives-agusta-spa-helicopters
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/E87287C876B0294186257F7E004B9BF1.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2015-3781

## Summary

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This proposed AD would require visually inspecting the tail rotor drive shaft assembly (drive shaft) for a crack. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery of three cracks on the drive shaft of a Model A109S helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to detect a crack on the drive shaft to prevent failure of the driveshaft, failure of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

## Notices in this docket

- Mar 22, 2016: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2016-06373, comments due May 23, 2016 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/03/22/2016-06373/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.