2025-09-06: Battery/charger system

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-09-06 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-23027; Docket No. FAA-2025-0019; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01218-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 16, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 2432, Battery/charger system. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of an electrical failure of the starter-generator, due to a rupture of the drive shaft, which resulted in a partial loss of battery power. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of battery power. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to complete loss of electrical power, and subsequent loss control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements (1) Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0210, dated November 27, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0210). (2) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual for the helicopter and must enter compliance with this requirement into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0210 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0210 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies contacting the STC holder for Model AW119 MKII helicopters modified by STC SR03280NY, this AD requires installing a battery discharge detector in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA. (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies "by means of existing hardware," this AD requires "airworthy hardware." (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies to "retain hardware," this AD requires replacing that text with, "retain only airworthy hardware." (5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies to inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the helicopter accordingly, this AD does not require those actions. (6) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0210 states "which includes the same content as," this AD requires replacing that text with "with information identical to that in the "Battery discharging (BATT DISCH)" and "Failure of the generator and d.c. bus (DC GEN)" procedures of the Emergency Procedures section of." (7) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0210. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0210 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (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. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov. (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 Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 474-5548; email: william.mccully@faa.gov. (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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0210, dated November 27, 2023. (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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, 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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on May 7, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-08282 Filed 5-9-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P