2026-15-15: Engine exhaust system
FAA order 2026-15-15 is an airworthiness directive in force since September 3, 2026. The FAA's subject line: Engine exhaust system. System: engine.
What it applies to as the FAA lists it
- Kind of product
- Aircraft
- Makes
- Leonardo S.p.A.
- Models
- AW189
Dates and paperwork
- In force since
- September 3, 2026
- Published
- July 30, 2026 (signed July 24, 2026)
- Docket
- FAA-2026-3869
- Status
- Current
- The FAA's document
- Read the order on the FAA's site
The FAA's summary their words, unchanged
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking on the ejector ducts. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) side ejector ducts, including the exhaust bracket reinforcements and reinforcement plates, and, depending on the results, replacing any affected ejector duct. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The order itself the regulatory text, as published
Show the full text (4,352 characters)
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: 2026-15-15 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-23427; Docket No. FAA-2026-3869; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00429-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7800, Engine exhaust system. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of cracking on the ejector duct. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address cracking around the engine exhaust duct boundary reinforcement plate. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to detachment of a part of the ejector duct, which could impact the helicopter tailplane or the tail rotor with consequent loss of control of the helicopter. (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 2025-0064, dated March 25, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0064). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0064 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0064 refers to its effective date, or July 26, 2023 [the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0149], this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0064 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0064. (i) No Reporting or Returning of Parts Requirement Although EASA AD 2025-0064 and the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0064 specifies reporting certain information or to return any parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require those actions. (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: [email protected]. (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 David Enns, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4147; email: [email protected]. (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 2025-0064, dated March 25, 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: [email protected]; 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 [email protected]. Issued on July 24, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-15370 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 30, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2026-15-15.json · aircraft systems.