Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
Key claim: Operators of Leonardo AB139 and AW139 helicopters would have to put newer, stricter airworthiness limits into their maintenance programs, replacing a 2022 FAA directive.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-02-12, which applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. AD 2022-02-12 requires incorporating airworthiness limitations into maintenance records. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-02- 12, it was determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations were necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Why this matters
Routine supersession of a prior AD keeps the airworthiness-limits baseline for the AB139/AW139 fleet aligned with the manufacturer’s and EASA’s current life-limit data. These helicopters are widely used in EMS, offshore oil, and VIP transport, so maintenance-program updates propagate through operator inspection schedules even when the regulatory change is incremental.