[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9514-9516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03873]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0025; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01294-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; correction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is correcting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
that was published in the Federal Register. That NPRM proposed to issue
an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to all Leonardo S.p.a.
Model AB139, AW139, and AW189 helicopters. As published, the references
to the incorporated material in paragraphs (h)(1) through (4), and
paragraph (i) of the NPRM reference an incorrect mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) identifier. This document corrects
that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the
same; however, for clarity, the FAA is publishing the entire proposed
rule in the Federal Register.
DATES: The last date for submitting comments to the NPRM (91 FR 3081,
January 26, 2026) remains March 12, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0025 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 proposed rule; correction, the MCAI, any comments
received, and
[[Page 9515]]
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5225; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-0025; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01294-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 proposal 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 NPRM.
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Steven Warwick, 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
The FAA issued an NPRM (91 FR 3081, January 26, 2026), that would
apply to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139, AW139, and AW189 helicopters.
The NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting the left-hand
(LH) and right-hand (RH) tube assemblies for Model AB139 and AW139
helicopters, and the LH and RH pedal shaft assemblies for Model AW189
helicopters, and depending on the results of the inspection, corrective
actions. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing certain parts
unless certain requirements are met. The NPRM was prompted by a report
of cracks on the LH and RH tube assemblies installed on the brake pedal
assemblies. The FAA is proposing this AD to detect and address cracks
on the LH and RH tube assemblies installed on the brake pedal
assemblies. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to
structural failure of the brake pedal assembly and result in reduced
control of the helicopter around the yaw axis.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0163, which specifies procedures for
repetitive inspections of certain part-numbered LH and RH tube
assemblies (for Models AB139 and AW139) and certain part-numbered LH
and RH pedal shaft assemblies (for Model AW189) installed on the brake
pedal assemblies. Depending on the inspection results, EASA AD
specifies procedures for replacing an affected part with a serviceable
part or, for the copilot side only, as an alternative to replacing an
affected part, installing a temporary serviceable part for the copilot
pedal assembly set, performing repetitive inspections, manufacturing
and installing a placard, and revising the limitations section of the
rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter. EASA AD 2025-0163
also prohibits installing an affected part on any helicopter unless
certain requirements are met.
Need for Correction
As published, references to the MCAI specified in the regulatory
text of the NPRM are incorrect. Paragraphs (h)(1) through (4) and
paragraph (i) of the NPRM, refer to ``EASA AD 2024-0228''. The correct
reference is ``EASA AD 2025-0163''.
No other part of the preamble or regulatory information has been
corrected; for clarity the FAA is publishing the entire proposed rule
in the Federal Register.
The comment due date of the NPRM remains March 12, 2026.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed 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:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Corrected]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Leonardo S.p.a.: Docket No. FAA-2026-0025; Project Identifier MCAI-
2025-01294-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 12, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139, AW139, and AW189
helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6720, Tail Rotor
Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the left-hand (LH)
and right-hand (RH) tube assemblies installed on the brake pedal
assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address cracks
on the LH and
[[Page 9516]]
RH tube assemblies. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
lead to structural failure of the pedal assembly and result in
reduced control of the helicopter around the yaw axis.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) 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 AD
2025-0163, dated July 30, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0163).
(2) For this AD, the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a
private pilot certificate may revise the existing RFM for the
helicopter by inserting Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2025-0163 and must
enter compliance into the helicopter maintenance records in
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must
be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0163
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0163 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0163 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0163 specifies
discarding parts, or scrapping parts, this AD requires removing
those parts from service.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0163.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0163
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(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 Steven Warwick,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; 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 2025-0163,
dated July 30, 2025.
(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 February 24, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03873 Filed 2-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P