Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 90 (Monday, May 12, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20087-20089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08282]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0019; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01218-R; 
Amendment 39-23027; AD 2025-09-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Leonardo S.p.A. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by a report of an electrical failure of the starter-generator, 
due to a rupture of the drive shaft, which resulted in a partial loss 
of battery power. This AD requires installing a battery discharge 
detector and revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for 
the helicopter. These actions are 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.

DATES: This AD is effective June 16, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 16, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0019; 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 
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:
    <bullet> 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 
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, 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-2025-0019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William McCully, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (404) 474-5548; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Leonardo S.p.A. Model 
A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on February 6, 2025 (90 FR 9069). The NPRM was prompted by 
EASA AD 2023-0210, dated November 27, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0210) (also 
referred to as ``the MCAI''), issued by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for

[[Page 20088]]

the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states an electrical 
failure of a starter-generator occurred, which was caused by a rupture 
of the drive shaft. The MCAI further states that this failure was not 
detected by the generator control unit, which resulted in a partial 
loss of battery power.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing a battery 
discharge detector and revising the existing RFM for the helicopter. 
The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate 
may perform the revision to the existing RFM for the helicopter and 
must enter compliance with the applicable paragraphs of this AD into 
the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) 
and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The pilot may perform this action because it only 
involves revising the existing RFM by inserting pages, which is not 
considered a maintenance action.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0019.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two individual commenters. Both 
commenters supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
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 reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0210 requires installing a battery discharge detector 
and amending the existing RFM for the helicopter by incorporating the 
RFM revision identified within, as applicable by helicopter model and 
serial number. The RFM revision includes revising the Emergency and 
Malfunction Procedures by updating ``Failure of the generator and d.c. 
bus'' information and adding ``Battery discharging'' information.
    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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    For Model AW119 MKII helicopters modified by STC SR03280NY, the 
material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies contacting the STC 
holder for instructions, whereas this AD requires installing a battery 
discharge detector in accordance with a method approved by the FAA.
    The MCAI requires operators to ``inform all flight crew'' of the 
revisions to the RFM, and thereafter to ``operate the helicopter 
accordingly.'' However, this AD does not require those actions as those 
actions are already required by FAA regulations. FAA regulations 
require operators furnish to pilots any changes to the RFM (for 
example, 14 CFR 135.21) and to ensure the pilots are familiar with the 
RFM (for example, 14 CFR 91.505). As with any other flight crew 
training requirement, training on the updated RFM content is tracked by 
the operators and recorded in each pilot's training record, which is 
available for the FAA to review. FAA regulations also require pilots to 
follow the procedures in the existing RFM including all updates. 
Therefore, including a requirement in this AD to inform the flight crew 
and operate the helicopter according to the revised RFM would be 
redundant and unnecessary.
    Further, compliance with such requirements in an AD is 
impracticable to demonstrate or track on an ongoing basis; therefore, a 
requirement to operate the aircraft in such a manner is unenforceable. 
Nonetheless, the FAA recommends that flight crews of the helicopters 
listed in the applicability operate in accordance with the revised 
emergency procedures required by this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 192 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per hour. Based on these 
numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
    For Model AW119 MKII helicopters modified by STC SR03280NY, the FAA 
has no data to provide cost estimates for installing a battery 
discharge detector. For all other helicopters, installing a battery 
discharge detector takes up to 10 hours with a parts cost of $1,772 for 
an estimated cost of $2,622 per helicopter and $503,424 for the U.S. 
fleet. Revising the existing RFM for the helicopter takes 1 hour for an 
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $16,320 for the U.S. fleet.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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 amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 20089]]

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  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2025-09-06 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-23027; Docket No. FAA-2025-
0019; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01218-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 16, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model A119 and AW119 MKII 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 2432, Battery/
charger system.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an electrical failure of the 
starter-generator, due to a rupture of the drive shaft, which 
resulted in a partial loss of battery power. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent loss of battery power. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could lead to complete loss of electrical power, and 
subsequent loss control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    (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 (EASA) 
AD 2023-0210, dated November 27, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0210).
    (2) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot 
certificate may revise the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual for the 
helicopter and must enter compliance with this requirement into the 
helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 
14 CFR 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 2023-0210

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0210 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies 
contacting the STC holder for Model AW119 MKII helicopters modified 
by STC SR03280NY, this AD requires installing a battery discharge 
detector in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA.
    (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies 
``by means of existing hardware,'' this AD requires ``airworthy 
hardware.''
    (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies 
to ``retain hardware,'' this AD requires replacing that text with, 
``retain only airworthy hardware.''
    (5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies to inform 
all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the helicopter 
accordingly, this AD does not require those actions.
    (6) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0210 states ``which 
includes the same content as,'' this AD requires replacing that text 
with ``with information identical to that in the ``Battery 
discharging (BATT DISCH)'' and ``Failure of the generator and d.c. 
bus (DC GEN)'' procedures of the Emergency Procedures section of.''
    (7) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0210.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 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. Information may be emailed 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 Dan McCully, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 474-5548; 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0210, 
dated November 27, 2023.
    (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 Pkwy., 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 May 7, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08282 Filed 5-9-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T01:24:20.825947+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

6d4662802ae3f9d602d0318b166f2406569aa0b27e733e69832417d10479b946

Text SHA-256

894eca2277020e1de2ae6042d1c9207eb8493d59addb3a8161f2ccdc18fa0351