Federal Register #FAA20260017

FAA Mandates Replacement of Life Raft Inflation Systems on Leonardo AB139 and AW139 Helicopters

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is mandating the replacement of specific life raft inflation systems on all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters in the U.S. registry due to safety concerns from shipment-related damage. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation - OEMs and Vendors: - Leonardo S.p.A. (helicopter manufacturer) - Aero Sekur (life raft inflation system OEM) - Survitec (life raft inflation system OEM) - Dassault Aviation (referenced for related AD) - European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (technical authority) - Products/Services Requested: - Replacement of life raft inflation systems with the following part numbers: - 3G9560F00111 - 3G9560F00112 - 4G2560F00811 - 202402A - 202256A - Total affected helicopters: 161 - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Compliance with EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0101 and specific FAA service bulletins - Identification and replacement based on cylinder and valve serial numbers - Prohibition on installation of affected inflation systems on any helicopter - Action required to ensure safe evacuation in the event of water ditching - Estimated total compliance cost: $1,489,250 - Key locations include FAA offices in Westbury, NY; Fort Worth, TX; and Washington, DC

Description

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. 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. It requires replacing certain life raft inflation systems and prohibits installing an affected life raft inflation system on any helicopter. The AD aims to address the unsafe condition that could lead to the inability to inflate a life raft and possibly affect the safe evacuation of occupants in the case of ditching over water.

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