FAA Wants Helicopter Blades Replaced Sooner

WASHINGTON (CN) - After a fatal accident involving an Agusta AW139 helicopter, the Federal Aviation Administration is requiring inspection and possible replacement of tail rotor blades.

A new FAA airworthiness directive requires the actions, intended to detect and prevent blade cracking that could bring down the helicopter.

For certain Agusta S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, the FAA requires establishing a revised life limit for each tail rotor blade and updating the helicopter's historical records, repetitively inspecting tail rotor blades for cracks, and replacing certain tail rotor blades.

The FAA considers this directive to be an interim action, and says tere may be further rulemaking if an additional solution is found, according to the directive.

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