Rule2025-16261
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
August 25, 2025
Effective
September 9, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109K2, and A119 helicopters and certain AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of incorrect installation of the bolts that attach the pitch (longitudinal) actuator assembly and the roll (lateral) actuator assembly to their respective bellcrank assemblies of the cyclic control system. This AD requires inspecting the bolts for proper installation and, depending on the results, performing corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 162 (Monday, August 25, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 162 (Monday, August 25, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41295-41298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16261]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2264; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01204-R;
Amendment 39-23120; AD 2025-17-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109K2, and A119
helicopters and certain AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was prompted by
a report of incorrect installation of the bolts that attach the pitch
(longitudinal) actuator assembly and the roll (lateral) actuator
assembly to their respective bellcrank assemblies of the cyclic control
system. This AD requires inspecting the bolts for proper installation
and, depending on the results, performing corrective actions. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 9, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 9,
2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 9, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
[[Page 41296]]
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2264; 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
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#81c0c5f2c1e4e0f2e0afe4f4f3eef1e0afe4f4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8999cab98bdb9abb9f6bdadaab7a8b9f6bdad">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA
website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-2264.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5225; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9cefe8f9eaf9f2b2eeb2ebfdeeebf5fff7dcfafdfdb2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e497908192818aca96ca938596938d878fa4828585ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-2264; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01204-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
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 final rule 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
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. 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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0142, dated July 7, 2025 (EASA
AD 2025-0142) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition on all Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109A, A109AII, A109C, A109K2,
and A119 helicopters and on certain serial-numbered AW119MKII
helicopters. The MCAI states a report was received of incorrect
installation of the bolts that attach the pitch (longitudinal) actuator
assembly and the roll (lateral) actuator assembly to their respective
bellcrank assemblies of the cyclic control system. Investigation
determined that the maintenance instructions to install the bolt
included potentially misleading information. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in the reduced range of the helicopter
cyclic control and loss of control of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2264.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0142, which specifies procedures for
a one-time inspection of the bolts that attach the pitch (longitudinal)
actuator assembly and the roll (lateral) actuator assembly to their
respective bellcrank assemblies for proper installation. Depending on
the results, EASA AD 2025-0142 specifies inspecting the bolts and
support assemblies for damage and interference and replacing any
damaged or incorrectly installed bolt with a serviceable bolt. In
addition, EASA AD 2025-0142 prohibits accomplishing any maintenance
action using certain maintenance instructions. 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
(CAA) 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 AD after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified EASA AD 2025-
0142, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for
any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this
AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary
source of information for compliance with requirements for
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with
manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, EASA AD 2025-0142 is incorporated
by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-
0142 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular
section in EASA AD 2025-0142 does not mean that operators need comply
only with that
[[Page 41297]]
section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required
actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is
not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance
Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2025-0142. Material referenced in EASA AD 2025-
0142 for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket
No. FAA-2025-2264 after this AD is published.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because incorrect installation of the bolts that attach the pitch
(longitudinal) actuator assembly to the pitch (longitudinal) bellcrank
assembly and the roll (lateral) actuator assembly to the roll (lateral)
bellcrank assembly could cause the bolts to interfere with the support
assembly. Incorrect installation of the bolts could result in the
reduced range of the helicopter cyclic control, which could lead to
loss of control of the helicopter. For this reason, the actions
required by this AD must be accomplished within 25 hours time in-
service. This compliance time is shorter than the time necessary for
the public to comment and for publication of the final rule.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 238 helicopters of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect affected bolts................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $20,230
hour = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any repairs 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
repairs:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace worn bolts and perform rigging 39 work-hours x $85 per hour = $24 $3,339
procedure. $3,315.
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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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
[[Page 41298]]
2025-17-10 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-23120; Docket No. FAA-2025-
2264; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01204-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 9,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109A, A109A II, A109C,
A109K2, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2025-0142, dated July 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0142).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6710, Main Rotor
Control.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of incorrect installation of
the bolts that attach the pitch (longitudinal) actuator assembly and
the roll (lateral) actuator assembly to their respective bellcrank
assemblies of the cyclic control system. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address incorrect installation of the bolts. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in the reduced range of
the helicopter cyclic control and loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
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, EASA AD 2025-0142.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0142
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0142 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0142 refers to flight hours, this AD
requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0142 refers to damage or damaged, for
this AD, damage means any wear.
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0142 states ``contact
Leonardo for approved corrective action instructions and accomplish
those instructions accordingly'', this AD requires replacing that
text with ``repair the discrepancy using a method approved by the
Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo
Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature''.
(5) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2025-0142 states ``From the
effective date of this AD, do not accomplish any maintenance action
on a helicopter in accordance with Leonardo maintenance instructions
as listed in Table 1 of this AD'', this AD requires replacing that
text with ``After the effective date of this AD, revise the existing
maintenance or inspection program to prohibit the use of the
Leonardo maintenance instructions listed in Table 1 of EASA AD 2025-
0142''.
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0142.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0142 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
require that action.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) 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 (l) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b3a3634383b1d1a1a551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e7f73717d7e585f5f10595148">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(l) 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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b4c7c0d1c2d1da9ac69ac3d5c6c3ddd7dff4d2d5d59ad3dbc2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1b686f7e6d7e753569356c7a696c7278705b7d7a7a357c746d">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) 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 2025-0142,
dated July 7, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0f1f4c3f0d5d1c3d19ed5c5c2dfc0d19ed5c5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f1e1b2c1f3a3e2c3e713a2a2d302f3e713a2a">[email protected]</span></a>; 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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f796d3176716c6f7a7c6b7670715f717e6d7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ff9edb1f6f1eceffafcebf6f0f1dff1feedfeb1f8f0e9">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on August 18, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-16261 Filed 8-21-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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