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Airworthiness Directive 2021-17-18

recurring
Official AD 2021-17-18 · FR doc 2021-17976 · 2021-08-20 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

What this AD requires

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109C, A109K2, A109E, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack on the tail rotor (TR) mast. This AD requires an inspection of certain TR sleeve assemblies for discrepancies, an inspection of certain TR shaft assemblies for discrepancies, a repetitive measurement of the position of the bushing of the TR sleeve assembly in relation to the pitch change slider assembly, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Repetitive inspection. Re-inspect. The next-due date/hours depend on this aircraft’s time in service — a records report computes it from the logbooks.

Which aircraft AD 2021-17-18 applies to

MakesLeonardo S.P.A.
ModelsA109C, A109K2, A109E, A109S, AW109SP, A109

Applies to all serial numbers of the listed models; no additional part/configuration condition.

Whether AD 2021-17-18 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.

How AD compliance is recorded

A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:

Method of compliance — The specific action taken (inspected, replaced, modified) and to what revision.
Date — When the work was done.
Aircraft time — Total time in service / tach at compliance — how recurring next-due is computed.
Signature & certificate — The A&P/IA who returned it to service, with certificate number.
Is AD 2021-17-18 complied with on your aircraft?

Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.

Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)

Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.