2025-17-10: Main Rotor Control

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: 2025-17-10 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-23120; Docket No. FAA-2025-2264; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01204-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 9, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109K2, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0142, dated July 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0142). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6710, Main Rotor Control. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of incorrect installation of the bolts that attach the pitch (longitudinal) actuator assembly and the roll (lateral) actuator assembly to their respective bellcrank assemblies of the cyclic control system. The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrect installation of the bolts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the reduced range of the helicopter cyclic control and loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements 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, EASA AD 2025-0142. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0142 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0142 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0142 refers to flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where EASA AD 2025-0142 refers to damage or damaged, for this AD, damage means any wear. (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0142 states "contact Leonardo for approved corrective action instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly", this AD requires replacing that text with "repair the discrepancy using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature". (5) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2025-0142 states "From the effective date of this AD, do not accomplish any maintenance action on a helicopter in accordance with Leonardo maintenance instructions as listed in Table 1 of this AD", this AD requires replacing that text with "After the effective date of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or inspection program to prohibit the use of the Leonardo maintenance instructions listed in Table 1 of EASA AD 2025-0142". (6) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0142. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0142 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (j) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (k) 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 (l) of this AD and email 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. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: steven.r.warwick@faa.gov. (m) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0142, dated July 7, 2025. (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 Parkway, 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 August 18, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-16261 Filed 8-21-25; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P