Proposed Rule2026-10593
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
May 28, 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 A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109K2, A109E, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters; and certain Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an incorrectly installed swashplate duplex bearing (bearing). This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the bearing and depending on the result, corrective action. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of an affected bearing unless certain requirements are met. 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 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31675-31678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10593]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-4647; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01212-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
[[Page 31676]]
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 A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109K2, A109E,
A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters; and certain Model A109S and AW109SP
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an
incorrectly installed swashplate duplex bearing (bearing). This
proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the bearing and
depending on the result, corrective action. This proposed AD would also
prohibit the installation of an affected bearing unless certain
requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by July 13, 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-2026-4647; 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 AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#85c4c1f6c5e0e4f6e4abe0f0f7eaf5e4abe0f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c4d487f4c696d7f6d2269797e637c6d226979">[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, 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: Evan Weaver, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316)
518-9297; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d283b2c23633a282c3b283f0d2b2c2c632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f693809798d8819397809384b6909797d8919980">[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-2026-4647; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01212-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
<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 Evan
Weaver, 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 2025-0148, dated July 11, 2025 (EASA
AD 2025-0148) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition on all Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters Model A109A, A109AII,
A109C, A109K2, A109E, A109LUH, A119, and AW119MKII helicopters, and
certain A109S and AW109SP helicopters. The MCAI states that there was a
report of improper installation of bearing part number 109-0110-35-3.
The MCAI further states that relevant investigation determined that the
affected bearing was improperly installed during production. The FAA is
proposing this AD to detect and correct improper installation of the
bearing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
failure of the bearing 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-2026-4647.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0148, which specifies procedures for
a one-time visual inspection for proper installation of the bearing.
EASA AD 2025-0148 also prohibits installation of the bearing on any
helicopter unless the part is new (never previously installed), or has
passed an inspection using certain material.
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 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 AD 2025-0148, described previously, as incorporated by
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD. See ``Differences Between this
Proposed AD and the MCAI'' for a discussion of the general differences
included in this proposed AD.
[[Page 31677]]
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
Where the MCAI specifies to contact Leonardo for corrective
actions, this proposed AD would require repairing an affected part in
accordance with a method approved by the FAA, or EASA, or Leonardo
S.p.A. EASA Design Organization Approval.
The MCAI applies to Leonardo S.p.A Model A109LUH helicopters,
whereas this proposed AD does not because that model does not have an
FAA type certificate.
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 proposes to incorporate
EASA AD 2025-0148 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD
would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0148 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 2025-0148 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 2025-0148. Material required by
EASA AD 2025-0148 for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>
under Docket No. FAA-2026-4647 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 227 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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Visual Inspection of swashplate duplex 4 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $340 $77,180
bearing. = $340.
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The extent of repairs that may be needed could vary significantly
from helicopter to helicopter. The FAA has no way of determining the
cost to correct or repair each helicopter or the number of helicopters
that may require repair.
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 under warranty, 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 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-2026-4647; Project Identifier MCAI-
2025-01212-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 13, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109A, A109A II, A109C,
A109K2, A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP and AW119 MKII helicopters,
certificated in any category, as identified in European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0148, dated July 11, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0148).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6230, Main rotor
mast/swashplate.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an incorrectly installed
swashplate duplex bearing (bearing). The FAA is issuing this AD to
detect and correct improper installation of the bearing. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the bearing
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
[[Page 31678]]
actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with,
EASA AD 2025-0148.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0148
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0148 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0148 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD
requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0148 and the material
referenced in EASA AD 2025-0148 specifies contacting Leonardo for
applicable repair instructions, this AD requires, before further
flight, contacting the Manager, International Validation Branch,
FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.A. EASA Design Organization Approval
(DOA) for repair instructions and accomplishing those instructions.
If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0148.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0148 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
require that action.
(j) 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 (k) of
this AD and email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0f1fdfff3f0d6d1d19ed7dfc6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="67262a28242701060649000811">[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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Evan Weaver,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 518-9297; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8de8fbece3a3fae8ecfbe8ffcdebececa3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c5a0b3a4abebb2a0a4b3a0b785a3a4a4eba2aab3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 2025-0148,
dated July 11, 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#81c0c5f2c1e4e0f2e0afe4f4f3eef1e0afe4f4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d3c390e3d181c0e1c5318080f120d1c531808">[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, 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.
(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#8bedf9a5e2e5f8fbeee8ffe2e4e5cbe5eaf9eaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7e180c5017100d0e1b1d0a1711103e101f0c1f50191108">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on May 22, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10593 Filed 5-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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