Proposed Rule2026-01049
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 21, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a damaged spare inflation system of a certain life raft kit due to the inappropriate shipment of the parts. This proposed AD would require replacing certain life raft inflation systems and would prohibit the installation of an affected life raft inflation system on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2504-2506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01049]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0017; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00681-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of a damaged spare inflation system
of a certain life raft kit due to the inappropriate shipment of the
parts. This proposed AD would require replacing certain life raft
inflation systems and would prohibit the installation of an affected
life raft inflation system on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by March 9, 2026.
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-2026-0017; 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:
<bullet> 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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e2a3a691a287839183cc8797908d9283cc8797"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98d9dcebd8fdf9ebf9b6fdedeaf7e8f9b6fded">[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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Enns, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316)
946-4147; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#137772657a773d767d7d60537572723d747c65"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4125203728256f242f2f32012720206f262e37">[email protected]</span></a>.
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-2026-0017; Project Identifier
MCAI-2023-00681-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.
[[Page 2505]]
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 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 David
Enns, 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 2023-0101, dated May 15, 2023 (EASA
AD 2023-0101) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition on Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. The
MCAI states there have been reports of a damaged spare inflation system
of life raft kit part number (P/N) 3G9560F00111, P/N 3G9560F00112, and
P/N 4G2560F00811. The MCAI further states that subsequent investigation
results revealed the damage was caused by the inappropriate shipment of
the parts. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to the
inability to inflate a life raft, which could possibly affect the safe
evacuation of occupants in the case of ditching overwater.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0017.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0101, dated May 15, 2023, which
specifies procedures for replacing life raft inflation system P/N
202402A and P/N 202256A that have a certain cylinder and valve serial
number. EASA AD 2023-0101 also prohibits installing an affected life
raft inflation system part on any helicopter.
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 ADDRESSES.
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 and material 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 accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA 2023-0101, 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, the FAA incorporates EASA AD 2023-
0101 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would,
therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2023-0101 in its entirety
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common
terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA
AD 2023-0101 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 2023-0101. Material required in EASA AD 2023-0101
for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No.
FAA-2026-0017 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 161 helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace life raft inflation system....... 4 work-hours x $85 per hour $8,910 $9,250 $1,489,250
= $340.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
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
[[Page 2506]]
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
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:
Leonardo S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA-2026-0017; Project Identifier MCAI-
2023-00681-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 9, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139
helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2564, Life Raft.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of a damaged spare inflation
system of a certain life raft kit due to inappropriate shipment of
the parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a damaged life raft
inflation system, which could lead to inability to inflate a life
raft and possibly affecting the safe evacuation of occupants in the
case of ditching overwater.
(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 2023-0101,
dated May 15, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0101).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0101
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0101 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0101 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where EASA AD 2023-0101 defines ``affected part,'' this AD
requires replacing that definition with ``Life raft inflation system
part number (P/N) 202402A and P/N 202256A that:
(i) have a cylinder and valve serial number (S/N) as specified
in Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 139-734,
original issue, dated April 13, 2023, or Revision A, dated April 28,
2023; except those that have not been modified in accordance with
the instructions of Aero Sekur Service Bulletin (SB) SB-139-25-005,
Revision 1, dated April 21, 2023, and Survitec SB 25-225-A, Revision
1, dated February 23, 2023 (co-published as one document) as
applicable, or
(ii) have a cylinder where the S/N cannot be determined.''
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2023-0101.
(i) No Reporting and Return of Parts Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0101 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer and to return the
parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require any of these
actions.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199, provided there are no flights overwater.
(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#793834363a391f1818571e160f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="70313d3f33301611115e171f06">[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 David Enns, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (316) 946-4147; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4c0c5d2cdc08ac1cacad7e4c2c5c58ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c5a1a4b3aca1eba0ababb685a3a4a4eba2aab3">[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 2023-0101,
dated May 15, 2023.
(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#d09194a390b5b1a3b1feb5a5a2bfa0b1feb5a5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d0c093e0d282c3e2c6328383f223d2c632838">[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#690f1b4700071a190c0a1d0006072907081b08470e061f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b3d29753235282b3e382f3234351b353a293a753c342d">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 16, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01049 Filed 1-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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