Federal Register #2026-09516

FAA Airworthiness Directives for Leonardo and Airbus Helicopters: Inspections and Modifications Required

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued final airworthiness directives (ADs) impacting certain helicopter models from Leonardo S.p.A. and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: - Government Buyer - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation - OEMs Highlighted - Leonardo S.p.A. - Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH - Products/Services and Requirements - Repetitive inspections of the lateral pylon and floor spar intersection at station 1815 for cracking on Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109E and A109S helicopters - Inspections required every 100 flight hours until modification is completed - One-time modification of the lateral pylon and floor spar at station 1815 (affecting 81 U.S. helicopters) to provide a permanent solution and terminate repetitive inspections - Modification or replacement of MS18027 type hooks on Airbus MBB-BK 117 C2 and D2 helicopters to prevent thread yielding - Prohibition on installing affected parts after compliance - Unique/Notable Requirements - Compliance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directives is required - Mandatory inspections, repairs, and modifications to address fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion that could compromise structural integrity - No procurement of new products; these are regulatory safety actions requiring operator compliance - Locations - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, Fort Worth, TX - FAA Westbury Office, Westbury, NY - U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, Washington, DC

Description

This final rule issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supersedes a previous airworthiness directive (AD 20212304) for certain Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109E helicopters. The directive requires repetitive inspections of the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at station 1815 for cracking and mandates repairs as necessary. It expands applicability to additional helicopter models and requires a modification that provides terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The AD aims to address fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion that could compromise structural integrity. The effective date of this AD is June 17, 2026.

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