FAA Orders Checks on Fancy Italian Helicopter Ducts
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly a Leonardo AW189 helicopter, listen up! The FAA wants you to regularly check the left and right ejector ducts for cracks and replace any damaged parts to keep things safe. Comments on this plan are open until June 15, 2026, so get ready to act soon and keep your chopper flying strong.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Required repetitive ejector-duct inspections
If you operate a Leonardo AW189 helicopter, the FAA would require repetitive inspections of the left-hand (P/N 8G7810P00131) and right-hand (P/N 8G7810P00231) ejector ducts, including exhaust bracket reinforcements and reinforcement plates, and replacing any affected ejector duct when cracks are found. The FAA proposes to require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0064 (dated March 25, 2025) as incorporated by reference to address cracking that could cause a duct to detach and impact the tailplane or tail rotor with possible loss of control.
Estimated inspection and repair costs
The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect four U.S.-registered AW189 helicopters. The FAA estimates $170 per inspection per helicopter (2 work-hours at $85/hour) and estimates on-condition replacement cost per ejector duct at $32,177 (2 work-hours plus parts).
Shorter compliance times for certain serial numbers
The MCAI identified AW189 helicopters with manufacturer serial numbers 49018, 49019, 49025, and 49028 as subject to shorter compliance times due to a higher likelihood of cracking. Operators of those serial-numbered helicopters would need to comply sooner than others.
No reporting or return-of-parts requirement
Although EASA AD 2025-0064 specifies reporting inspection results or returning parts to the manufacturer, the FAA’s proposed AD explicitly does not require reporting or returning parts. This removes those reporting/return obligations for U.S. operators under this FAA AD.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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