2026-10-03: Tail rotor control system

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-10-03 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-23343; Docket No. FAA-2026-0025; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01294-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 25, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139, AW139, and AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6720, Tail rotor control system. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) tube assemblies installed on the brake pedal assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address cracks on the LH and RH tube assemblies and pedal shaft assemblies. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to structural failure of the brake pedal assembly and result in reduced control of the helicopter around the yaw axis. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (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 AD 2025-0163, dated July 30, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0163). (2) For this AD, the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter by inserting Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2025-0163 and must enter compliance into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 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 2025-0163 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0163 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0163 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0163 specifies discarding parts, or scrapping parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0163. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0163 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 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 Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: steven.r.warwick@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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0163, dated July 30, 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, 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. 2026-10170 Filed 5-20-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P