2026-03873: Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026) [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