Action
Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); reopening of comment period.
Summary
The FAA is revising an earlier proposal for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by expanding the required actions. This proposed AD would require various inspections of certain main rotor (MR) dampers, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also require reducing the torque of the MR damper hub attachment bolts, installing a special washer, installing a certain part-numbered MR damper, and prohibit installing other part-numbered MR dampers. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments on this SNPRM.