Action
Final rule; request for comments.
Summary
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139, AW139, and AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of the in-flight failure of one of the three stainless steel external rings bonded to the main rotor swashplate boot. This AD requires repetitive inspections of these stainless steel external rings for corrosion, cracks, and the condition of the adhesive that bonds the rings to the main rotor swashplate boot, and corrective action if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.