2026-14108: Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a Helicopters

Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 133 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Federal Register Volume 91, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 43049-43051] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-14108] ======================================================================== Proposed Rules Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 14, 2026 / Proposed Rules [[Page 43049]] DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2026-7212; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00628-R] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a Helicopters

Agency

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

Action

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-12-10, which applies to certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. AD 2021-12-10 requires installing a placard on the primary stretcher unit. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-12-10, Aerolite (the manufacturer of the stretcher unit), developed a modification of the primary stretcher unit to improve its structural properties. This proposed AD would require the installation of a certain placard depending on the configuration of the primary stretcher unit. The proposed AD would also require revising the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability to only include Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, modified by FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR04384NY. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Dates

The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by August 28, 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-2026-7212; 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 NPRM, 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 Aerolite material identified in this proposed AD, contact Aerolite AG, Aum[uuml]hlestrasse 10, CH-6373 Ennetb[uuml]rgen, Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 624 58 58; fax: +41 (0)41 624 58 59; email: [email protected]. 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.

For Further Information Contact

Ramasamy Rangan, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-4126; 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-2026-7212; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00628-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 the 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 Ramasamy Rangan, 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 AD 2021-12-10, Amendment 39-21597 (86 FR 30153, June 7, 2021) (AD 2021-12-10), for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, with 3-stretcher kit part number (P/N) 139084-501 installed. AD 2021-12-10 was prompted by an MCAI originated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2021-0095 dated March 31, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0095) to correct an unsafe condition identified as a design deficiency which affects the primary stretcher unit of the 3-stretcher kit P/N 139084-501. AD 2021-12-10 requires installing a placard on the primary stretcher stating a limitation for the maximum allowable weight of the occupant on the primary stretcher. The FAA issued AD 2021-12-10 to address a design deficiency that [[Page 43050]] affects the primary stretcher unit of the 3-stretcher kit. Actions Since AD 2021-12-10 Was Issued Since the FAA issued AD 2021-12-10, EASA superseded EASA AD 2021- 0095 and issued EASA AD 2023-0088, dated April 26, 2023 (EASA AD 2023- 0088) (also referred to as the MCAI), for all Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, if modified by EASA STC 10017231 Revision 1 or Revision 2, or STC EASA.R.S.01403 (installation of 3-stretcher kit P/N 139084-501). The MCAI states a modification was developed that improves the structural properties of the stretcher and the primary stretcher unit, which is embodied in service. The MCAI further states a modification placard P/N 015390-001 is required to be installed to prevent the (re)installation of an affected stretcher. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the primary stretcher unit during an emergency landing, which could result in injury to helicopter occupants. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7212. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Aerolite Service Bulletin SB-21-017, Revision D, dated April 11, 2023 (SB-21-017 Rev D). This material specifies procedures for modifying the 3-stretcher unit assembly and installing placards on the primary stretcher unit. The FAA also reviewed Aerolite FMS-07-008 Flight Manual Supplement for Agusta Helicopter Model AB/AW139 3-Stretcher Kit P/N 139084-501 EASA.R.S01403, Revision B, dated March 27, 2023. This material specifies procedures for installing a placard on the forward 3- stretcher unit stating the maximum allowable patient weight. The FAA also reviewed Aerolite Alert Service Bulletin ASB-21-006, dated March 16, 2021 (ASB-21-006), which the Federal Register approved ASB-21-006 for incorporation by reference as of June 22, 2021 (86 FR 30153, June 7, 2021). 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 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 NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM This proposed AD would require the installation of a placard for certain primary stretcher units installed and would require revising the RFM by incorporating a rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS), which incorporates the weight limitation of the stretcher unit or prevents the (re)installation of an affected stretcher, if the primary stretcher has been modified. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, modified by FAA STC SR04384NY. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this proposed AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 11 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost per Cost on U.S. Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Install placard............................ 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $50 $135 $1,485 $85. Revise the RFM............................. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = 0 85 935 $85. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would 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 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