2025-21-04: Life Raft

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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2024-09-02, Amendment 39-22744 (89 FR 44547, May 21, 2024); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-21-04 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-23176; Docket No. FAA-2025-1348; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00159-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 26, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2024-09-02, Amendment 39-22744 (89 FR 44547, May 21, 2024). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2560, Emergency Equipment; and 2564, Life Raft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by manufacturing defects in certain forward and aft float assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to address non-conforming float assemblies. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of a float assembly during an emergency landing on water and could prevent a timely egress from the helicopter, which could result in injury to helicopter occupants. (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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2023-0188-E, dated October 30, 2023 (EASA Emergency AD 2023-0188-E). (h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2023-0188-E (1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2023-0188-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2023-0188-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD, except for Group 1 helicopters. (3) Where Table 1 of EASA Emergency AD 2023-0188-E refers to its effective date, for Group 1 helicopters, this AD requires using the effective date of June 5, 2024 (the effective date of AD 2024-09-02). (4) Where Table 1 of EASA Emergency AD 2023-0188-E refers to "Leonardo Aircraft Maintenance Manual Data Module (DM) 69-A-05-21-00-00A-028A-A", this AD requires replacing that text with "Leonardo air vehicle maintenance planning information 69-B-05-21-00-00A-028A-A". (5) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA Emergency AD 2023-0188-E specifies sending a removed float assembly to Leonardo, this AD does not require that action. (6) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0188-E. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2023-0188-E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (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 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. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Yves Petiote, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 975-4867; email yves.petiote@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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. (3) The following material was approved for IBR on June 5, 2024 (89 FR 44547, May 21, 2024). (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2023-0188-E, dated October 30, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (4) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (5) 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. (6) 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 October 17, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-20451 Filed 11-19-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P