Leonardo Helicopters Get Crack Check Mandates from FAA
Published Date: 9/30/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly certain Leonardo helicopters, this new rule means more models need regular crack checks on a key part. But good news: there’s a fix you can add that stops the need for those repeated inspections. The FAA wants these changes soon to keep everyone safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
More Leonardo models need crack checks
The FAA proposes to replace AD 2021-23-04 and would require repetitive inspections for cracking at the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at station (STA) 1815. The rule expands the requirement beyond the Leonardo Model A109E to additional helicopter models, so more owners/operators would need to do these regular checks and repairs as needed.
Required modification ends repeated inspections
The manufacturer has developed a modification for the same area that the FAA says would be terminating action for the repetitive inspections at STA 1815. The proposed AD would require modifying the affected area, so operators would have to install the fix (upfront cost) but then would no longer need to do the repeated crack inspections.
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