Cracked Helicopter Parts Spark FAA's Urgent Inspection Mandate
Published Date: 1/22/2026
Rule
Summary
If you fly a Leonardo AB412 or AB412 EP helicopter, listen up! The FAA found a crack in a key part called the left upper cap angle and now requires regular checks to keep things safe. Starting February 6, 2026, owners must inspect and fix any problems quickly—so no surprises or costly repairs down the line!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory inspections for AB412 series
If you operate a Leonardo Model AB412 or AB412 EP helicopter, you must inspect the left upper cap angle (P/N 212-030-191-1) for cracks. The AD is effective February 6, 2026; you must do an initial inspection within 5 hours time-in-service after that date and then perform repetitive inspections per EASA AD 2024-0104 (the MCAI reduced the repetitive- inspection interval to 25 flight hours).
Approved repair methods required before flight
If the inspection finds any crack or damage (including "smoking of the fitting attachment" or "crazing of sealant bead around the fitting" as crack indications), repairs must be done before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.A.'s EASA Design Organization Approval. You must follow an approved repair method before flying again.
No U.S. compliance costs now
The FAA states there are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are currently no helicopters with these type certificates on the U.S. Registry. That means, today, U.S. operators do not incur costs from this AD.
AB212 model not covered by FAA AD
Although the EASA action expanded applicability to Model AB212 helicopters, this FAA AD does not apply to AB212 because that model does not have an FAA type certificate. Owners of AB212 helicopters are not subject to this FAA AD.
No manufacturer reporting required
EASA AD 2024-0104 asks operators to submit certain information to the manufacturer, but this FAA AD explicitly does not require sending those reports to Leonardo. You are not required by this FAA AD to submit the manufacturer reporting specified in the EASA AD.
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