2026-09-05: 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-09-05 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-23326; Docket No. FAA-2026-0017; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00681-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 17, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.A., Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2564, Life Raft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of a damaged spare inflation system of a certain life raft kit due to inappropriate shipment of the parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a damaged life raft inflation system, which could lead to the inability to inflate a life raft and possibly affect the safe evacuation of occupants in the case of ditching over water. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions 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 AD 2023-0101, dated May 15, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0101). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0101 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0101 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0101 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0101 defines "affected part," this AD requires replacing that definition with "Life raft inflation system part number (P/N) 202402A and P/N 202256A that: (i) have a cylinder and valve serial number (S/N) as specified in Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 139-734, original issue, dated April 13, 2023, or Revision A, dated April 28, 2023; except those that have not been modified in accordance with the instructions of Aero Sekur Service Bulletin (SB) SB-139-25-005, Revision 1, dated April 21, 2023, and Survitec SB 25-225-A, Revision 1, dated February 23, 2023 (co-published as one document) as applicable; or (ii) have a cylinder where the S/N cannot be determined." (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0101. (i) No Reporting and Return of Parts Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0101 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer and to return the parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require any of these actions. (j) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, provided there are no flights over water. (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 David Enns, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4147; email: david.enns@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 2023-0101, dated May 15, 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, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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 6, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-09520 Filed 5-12-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P