[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2679-2681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01183]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 14 / Thursday, January 22, 2026 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 2679]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0014; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00309-R;
Amendment 39-23241; AD 2026-02-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters. This AD was
prompted by a report of a cracked left upper cap angle (cap angle)
having a certain part-number. This AD requires repetitively inspecting
the cap angle and, depending on the results, performing corrective
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 6,
2026.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by March 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0014; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected];
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA
website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-0014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deep Gaurav, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817)
228-3731; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments using a method
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-0014; Project
Identifier MCAI-2024-00309-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Deep
Gaurav, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, issued EASA AD 2009-0185, dated August 20, 2009 (EASA
AD 2009-0185), to correct an unsafe condition on Leonardo S.p.A. Model
AB412 and AB412EP helicopters. EASA AD 2009-0185 states that a failure
of a cap angle having part number (P/N) 212-030-191-1 was reported, and
the preliminary investigation identified that the failure was due to a
crack in the hi-lock hole. EASA AD 2009-0185 required repetitively
inspecting the cap angle at intervals not exceeding 100 flight hours
(FH). EASA then superseded EASA AD 2009-0185 and issued AD 2024-0104,
dated May 24, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0104) (also referred to as the MCAI).
The MCAI states that since EASA AD 2009-0185 was issued, the results of
further investigations revealed a need to reduce the interval time for
the repetitive inspections from 100 FH to 25 FH. The MCAI reduces the
interval for the repetitive inspections from 100 FH to 25 FH and
expands the applicability to
[[Page 2680]]
include Model AB212 helicopters. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in reduced structural integrity of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0014.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0104, which specifies procedures for
repetitively inspecting cap angle P/N 212-030-191-1 for cracks. If any
crack or damage is detected, the MCAI specifies contacting Leonardo
S.p.A. for approved repair instructions.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
(CAA) of another country and are approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of
Design Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing
this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2024-0104, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this AD. See ``Differences Between this AD and the MCAI'' for a
discussion of the general differences included in this AD.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Model AB212 helicopters, whereas this AD does
not because that model does not have an FAA type certificate.
Where the MCAI specifies contacting Leonardo S.p.A. for repair
instructions, this AD requires using a method approved by the FAA, or
EASA, or Leonardo S.p.a.'s EASA Design Organizational Approval.
Where the MCAI requires compliance within 25 FH [flight hours]
since last inspection accomplished or within 5 FH after the effective
date of EASA AD 2024-0104, this AD requires accomplishing the initial
inspection within 5 hours time-in-service after the effective date of
this AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary
source of information for compliance with requirements for
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with
manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, EASA AD 2024-0104 is incorporated
by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with EASA AD 2024-
0104 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular
section in EASA AD 2024-0104 does not mean that operators need comply
only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to
``all required actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD
requirement is not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s)
and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2024-0104. Material required in
EASA AD 2024-0104 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2026-0014 after this AD is published.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
There are currently no domestic operators of these products.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b). In addition, for the
foregoing reason, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
There are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are no
helicopters with these type certificates on the U.S. Registry.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
[[Page 2681]]
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2026-02-05 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-23241; Docket No. FAA-2026-
0014; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00309-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 6, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB412 and AB412 EP
helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5300, Fuselage
Structure (General).
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked left upper cap
angle (cap angle) part number 212-030-191-1. The FAA is issuing this
AD to detect and correct cracking or damage of the cap angle which,
if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of
the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0104, dated May 24, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0104).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0104
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0104 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0104 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0104 specifies ``Within
25 FH [flight hours] since last inspection accomplished in
accordance with the instructions of Agusta MBT 412-128 (as required
by EASA AD 2009-0185), or within 5 FH after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later'', this AD requires replacing that
text with ``Within 5 hours time-in-service after the effective date
of this AD''.
(4) Where the material referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD
2024-0104 specifies ``if no cracks are revealed'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``If there are no cracks in the area
inspected''.
(5) This AD does not adopt paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0104.
(6) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0104 specifies
contacting Leonardo for approved instructions if there is a crack or
damage, and where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0104
specifies to contact Leonardo Helicopters for further instruction if
there is a crack, this AD requires, before further flight, actions
done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.A.'s
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(7) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0104 specifies ``any
crack or damage'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``any
crack or damage (smoking of the fitting attachment and crazing of
sealant bead around the fitting as crack indications)''.
(8) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0104.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0104 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
require that action.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of
this AD and email to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Deep Gaurav,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 228-3731; email:
[email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0104,
dated May 24, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on January 13, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01183 Filed 1-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P