EASA AD No.

: 2017-0110

Airworthiness Directive
AD No.: 2017-0110
Issued: 23 June 2017
Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation
(EC) 216/2008 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third
countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the
continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which
an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I,

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Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [Regulation (EC) 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):

LEONARDO S.p.A. AW169 helicopters

Effective Date: 30 June 2017

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TCDS Number(s): EASA.R.509
Foreign AD: Not applicable
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Supersedure: None

ATA 32 – Landing Gear – Retraction Actuators – Installation / Replacement

Manufacturer(s):
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Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly Finmeccanica Helicopter Division, AgustaWestland)

Applicability:
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AW169 helicopters, serial number (s/n) 69007, 69009, 69011, 69013, 69014, 69015, 69017, 69018,
69020, 69021, 69022, 69023, 69024, 69025, 69027, 69028, 69031, 69032, 69041, 69042, 69043,
69044, 69049 and 69051, and AW169 helicopters, all s/n equipped with retractable landing gear
(LG) system Part Number (P/N) 6F3200F00311 or P/N 6F3200F00411.

Reason:
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Several occurrences were reported of failed nose landing gear (NLG) retraction actuators of AW169
helicopters during the acceptance test procedures on ground on the final assembly line. The NLG
got stuck at approximately 45° angle (half of the full stroke) regardless of the selected extension
mode (normal or emergency). Investigation revealed that excessive friction inside the NLG
retraction actuator caused internal damage, resulting in mechanical jam of the actuator rotary
shaft. Due to similarity of design, the same failure mode can affect the main landing gear (MLG)
retraction actuators.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a partially locked or unlocked NLG or MLG upon
landing, possibly resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury to the occupants.

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 EASA AD No.: 2017-0110

As an interim measure to address this potential unsafe condition, Leonardo designed a modification
to inhibit the LG retraction for helicopters equipped with affected retraction actuators, and issued
Bollettino Tecnico 169-005, providing instructions to install that modification on in-service
helicopters. Leonardo also designed a modification to remove affected retraction actuators,
allowing delivery of helicopters still on the production line. Subsequently, Leonardo developed
improved LG retraction actuators that allow restoring the LG intended function, and issued
Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico 169-018, providing instructions to install those actuators on in-service
helicopters. Recently, Leonardo issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 169-023, hereafter referred to as
“the ASB” in this AD, providing additional instructions to install improved control box and proximity
switches, and to protect repetitively the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators
against corrosion.

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For the reasons described above, this AD requires modification of helicopters by removing all
affected LG retraction actuators from service, installing the improved LG retraction actuators,
control box and proximity switches, and a one-time application of corrosion inhibitor on the
plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators.

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Leonardo ASB 169-023 provides instructions for repetitive application of corrosion inhibitor. Since
this is considered as standard practice maintenance, those actions are not required by this AD.

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

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Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Note 1: For the purpose of this AD, Group 1 helicopters are those that, on the effective date of this
AD, are not equipped with enhanced NLG retracting actuator P/N 6F3230V00532 and enhanced
MLG retracting actuators P/N 6F3230V00832 and P/N 6F3230V01032. Group 2 helicopters are those
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that are not Group 1.

Note 2: The ASB defines the helicopters by s/n for which the actions listed in each Part of the
instructions of the ASB are required.
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Modification:
(1) For Group 1 helicopters: Within 200 flight hours (FH) or 6 months, whichever occurs first after
the effective date of this AD, modify the helicopter in accordance with the instructions of Part I
or Part II or Part III of the ASB, as applicable to helicopter s/n, and of Parts IV and V of the ASB.
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(2) For Group 2 helicopters: Within 200 FH or 6 months, whichever occurs first after the effective
date of this AD, accomplish the installation checks in accordance with the instructions of Part VI
of the ASB, and the modification in accordance with the instructions of Parts IV and/or V of the
ASB, as applicable.

Inspection:
(3) For Group 1 helicopters: Concurrently with the modification as required by paragraph (1) of this
AD, inspect the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators in accordance with the
instructions of Part VII of the ASB.

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 EASA AD No.: 2017-0110

(4) For Group 2 helicopters: Within 50 FH or 30 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date
of this AD, inspect the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators in accordance with
the instructions of Part VII of the ASB.

Corrective Action(s):
(5) If, during the modification and/or the installation checks as required by paragraph (1) or (2) of
this AD, as applicable, any discrepancy is detected, before next flight, accomplish the applicable
corrective action(s) in accordance with the instructions of the ASB, or contact Leonardo for
approved corrective action instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly.

(6) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (3) or (4) of this AD, as applicable, corrosion is

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detected, before next flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s) and apply corrosion
inhibitor on the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators in accordance with the
instructions of Part VII of the ASB.

(7) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (3) or (4) of this AD, as applicable, no
corrosion is detected, before next flight, apply corrosion inhibitor on the plungers of the NLG

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and MLG up down lock actuators in accordance with the instructions of Part VII of the ASB.

Ref. Publications:
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Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters ASB 169-023 original issue, dated 31 May 2017.

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of this AD.

Remarks:
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1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 08 June 2017 as PAD 17-069 for consultation until 22 June 2017. No
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comments were received during the consultation period.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
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contact: Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Customer Support & Services

Product Support Engineering & Licenses DPT, via Giovanni Agusta 520,
21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) – Italy
Tel.: +39 0331 225036, Fax: +39 0331 225988,
E-mail: PSE_AW169.MBX.AW@leonardocompany.com.

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Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
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