Rule2025-17387
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
September 10, 2025
Effective
September 25, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109E, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that certain manufacturer maintenance instructions for swashplate assembly installation specified incorrect torque values for certain swashplate nuts. This AD requires repetitively inspecting certain swashplate nuts for cracks, fretting, or slippage marks 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 173 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43541-43544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17387]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2271; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01166-R;
Amendment 39-23128; AD 2025-18-01]
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 A109E, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that certain manufacturer
maintenance instructions for swashplate assembly installation specified
incorrect torque values for certain swashplate nuts. This AD requires
repetitively inspecting certain swashplate nuts for cracks, fretting,
or slippage marks 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 25, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
25, 2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 27, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<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-2025-2271; 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#7130350231141002105f1404031e01105f1404"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e5a4a196a580849684cb8090978a9584cb8090">[email protected]</span></a>;
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, 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-2025-2271.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Franklin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5291; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c4a7a5b6a8eaaeeaa2b6a5aaafa8adaa84a2a5a5eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="680b091a044602460e1a090603040106280e0909460f071e">[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-2025-2271; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01166-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 Carl
Franklin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5291. 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 2025-0131, dated June 16, 2025 (EASA
AD 2025-0131) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition on Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109E, A109LUH, A109S, AW109SP,
A119, and AW119MKII helicopters. The MCAI states that the
manufacturer's maintenance instructions for the swashplate assembly
installation included improper torque values for affected swashplate
nuts having part number NAS1805-4 that attach the swashplate support to
the main transmission. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct
the condition of the swashplate nuts, which if not addressed, could
result in failure of the main rotor function and consequent 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-2025-2271.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0131, which specifies procedures for
repetitive visual inspections of the affected swashplate nuts for
cracks, fretting, or slippage marks and, depending on the results,
replacement of the affected nuts and reinstallation of the swashplate
assembly. EASA AD 2025-0131 also prohibits reinstallation of the
swashplate assembly on any helicopter using certain manufacturer
maintenance instructions. EASA AD 2025-0131 also specifies that
replacement of the affected swashplate nuts and reinstallation of the
swashplate assembly constitutes terminating action for the repetitive
inspections. 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.
[[Page 43542]]
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 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 in EASA AD
2025-0131, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this AD. See ``Differences Between this AD and the MCAI'' for a
discussion of the general differences included in this AD.
Differences Between This AD and the Referenced Material
The MCAI applies to Leonardo Model A109LUH helicopters, whereas
this AD does not because that model does not have an FAA type
certificate.
The MCAI specifies reinstallation of the swashplate assembly within
200 flight hours after a replacement required by any inspection or
within 2,400 flight hours after the effective date if replacement is
not required. The MCAI states that reinstallation of the swashplate
assembly is a terminating action for the inspection requirements of the
MCAI. For this AD, the word ``reinstallation'' means
``reconfiguration'' as reinstallation of the swashplate is required
before return to service. This AD also does not require the 2,400
flight hour swashplate assembly ``reconfiguration'' as this is
considered a long-term action that would allow for prior opportunity
for public comment. If replacement is not required, this AD will allow
the swashplate assembly reconfiguration and corrective actions as
optional terminating action for the inspection requirements of the AD.
The FAA may consider future rulemaking with prior public comment on
this action.
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 civil aviation
authority (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 2025-0131 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD
requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-0131 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 2025-0131 does not mean
that operators need comply only with that 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
2025-0131. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0131 for compliance will
be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-2271 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 improper torque value application on affected swashplate nuts
that attach the swashplate support to the main transmission could lead
to failure of the main rotor function, which could result in loss of
control of the helicopter. The FAA has no information pertaining to the
extent of fatigue damage on swashplate nuts that may currently exist in
helicopters or how quickly the condition may propagate to failure,
therefore, the initial instance of the inspections must be accomplished
within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this
AD. These helicopters average approximately 50 hours TIS a month with
some over 100 hours TIS a month. Based on this, the initial inspection
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 173 helicopters of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect affected swashplate nuts....... 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 $58,820
hour = $340.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of helicopters
that might need these replacements:
[[Page 43543]]
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace affected swashplate 40 work-hours x $21 $3,421
nuts and reconfigure $85 per hour =
swashplate assembly. $3,400.
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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:
2025-18-01 Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters: Amendment 39-23128; Docket
No. FAA-2025-2271; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01166-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 25,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109E, A109S, AW109SP,
A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor
Head.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that certain manufacturer
maintenance instructions for swashplate assembly installation
specified incorrect torque values for certain swashplate nuts. The
FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct the condition of the
swashplate nuts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in failure of the main rotor function and consequent 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2025-0131, dated June 16, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0131).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0131
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0131 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0131 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD
requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0131 defines Group 1 helicopters as
``A109E, A109LUH, A109S, AW109SP, A119 and AW119MKII helicopters,
all s/n, as defined in Part I of the applicable ASB'', this AD
requires replacing this text with ``A109E, A109LUH, A109S, AW109SP,
A119 and AW119MKII helicopters, all s/n, as defined in Planning
Information, paragraph A., Effectivity, Part I, of the applicable
SB''.
(4) Where EASA AD 2025-0131 states ``replace the damaged
affected nuts with new nuts'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``replace the damaged affected nuts with unused nuts having
part number NAS1805-4''.
(5) Where EASA AD 2025-0131 states ``reinstall the swashplate
assembly'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``reconfigure
the swashplate assembly''.
(6) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0131 requires
reinstallation of the swashplate assembly and inspections and
corrective actions for certain helicopters within 2,400 FH after the
effective date of EASA AD 2025-0131, this AD allows it as optional
terminating action for the inspection requirement of this AD.
(7) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0131.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0131
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#a0e1edefe3e0c6c1c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99d8d4d6dad9fff8f8b7fef6ef">[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 Carl Franklin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5291; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6b080a19074501450d190a05000702052b0d0a0a450c041d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91f2f0e3fdbffbbff7e3f0fffafdf8ffd1f7f0f0bff6fee7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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.
[[Page 43544]]
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0131,
dated June 16, 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#a9e8eddae9ccc8dac887ccdcdbc6d9c887ccdc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="27666354674246544609425255485746094252">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find this EASA AD 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#8ceafea2e5e2fffce9eff8e5e3e2cce2edfeeda2ebe3fa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d2b4a0fcbbbca1a2b7b1a6bbbdbc92bcb3a0b3fcb5bda4">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 4, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17387 Filed 9-8-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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