Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47936-47938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15370]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-3869; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00429-R; 
Amendment 39-23427; AD 2026-15-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by 
reports of cracking on the ejector ducts. This AD requires repetitively 
inspecting the left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) side ejector 
ducts, including the exhaust bracket reinforcements and reinforcement 
plates, and, depending on the results, replacing any affected ejector 
duct. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3869; 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 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 this material on the EASA website 
at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 
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-2026-3869.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Enns, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 
946-4147; 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 all Leonardo S.p.a. 
Model AW189 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register 
on April 29, 2026 (91 FR 23031). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-
0064, dated March 25, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0064) (also referred to as the 
MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union. The MCAI states that there have been 
reports of cracking on ejector duct part number (P/N) 8G7810P00131 (LH 
side) and P/N 8G7810P00231 (RH side) of the rear sliding cowling, where 
the engine exhaust ducts are installed. The MCAI also states that 
investigation of the cracks, which developed around the engine exhaust 
duct boundary reinforcement plate, is ongoing to identify the root 
cause of the occurrences, and the inspection area needs to be extended 
to the area of the exhaust bracket reinforcements.
    Additionally, the MCAI states that, due to reasons still under 
investigation, any Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopter having 
manufacturer serial number 49018, 49019, 49025, or 49028 is subject to 
shorter compliance times due to higher likelihood of cracking. This 
condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to detachment of a 
part of the ejector duct, which could impact the helicopter tailplane 
or the tail rotor with consequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively inspecting 
the LH side and RH side ejector ducts, including the exhaust bracket 
reinforcements and reinforcement plates, and, depending on the results, 
replacing any affected ejector duct. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

[[Page 47937]]

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. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0064, which specifies procedures for 
repetitively inspecting the LH and RH ejector ducts P/N 8G7810P00131 
(LH side) and P/N 8G7810P00231 (RH side) and the exhaust bracket 
reinforcements and reinforcement plates. Depending on the results of 
the inspection, EASA AD 2025-0064 specifies procedures for replacing 
the ejector duct and reporting inspection results to Leonardo if any 
discrepancy is detected as a result of the inspection.
    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.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. The 
manufacturer is still investigating the root cause of the unsafe 
condition identified in this AD. If final action is later identified, 
the FAA might consider further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects four helicopters of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost    Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visually inspect each ejector      2 work-hours x $85             $0  $170 per inspection.  $680 per inspection.
 duct including the exhaust         per hour = $170 per
 bracket reinforcements and         inspection.
 reinforcement plates.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacements or 
corrections that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
helicopters that might need these replacements or corrections.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Action                                Labor cost              Parts cost   Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace an ejector duct......................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =         $32,007             $32,177
                                                $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

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:

2026-15-15 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-23427; Docket No. FAA-2026-
3869; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00429-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7800, Engine exhaust 
system.

[[Page 47938]]

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking on the ejector duct. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address cracking around the 
engine exhaust duct boundary reinforcement plate. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could lead to detachment of a part of 
the ejector duct, which could impact the helicopter tailplane or the 
tail rotor with consequent loss of control 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 AD 2025-0064, 
dated March 25, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0064).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0064

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0064 refers to its effective date, or 
July 26, 2023 [the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0149], this AD 
requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0064 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0064.

(i) No Reporting or Returning of Parts Requirement

    Although EASA AD 2025-0064 and the material referenced in EASA 
AD 2025-0064 specifies reporting certain information or to return 
any parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require those 
actions.

(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 David Enns, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: (316) 946-4147; 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 2025-0064, 
dated March 25, 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, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 
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 July 24, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15370 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]
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