FAA Orders Chopper Owners to Revise Safety Playbooks
Published Date: 9/22/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own or maintain Leonardo AB139 or AW139 helicopters, the FAA wants you to update your maintenance rules with new safety limits to keep flying safe. This replaces an older rule and means you’ll need to revise your maintenance manuals soon. Comments on this change are open until November 6, 2026, so get ready to act and keep those choppers in top shape!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Revise Maintenance Limits Within 30 Days
If you own or maintain Leonardo Model AB139 or AW139 helicopters, you must update the airworthiness limitations section of your maintenance manual and approved maintenance/inspection program to incorporate AW139 39-B-AMPI-00-P, Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 015, dated January 07, 2025. You must do this within 30 days after the AD's effective date; the FAA estimates the rule would affect 156 U.S.-registered helicopters and cost about $85 per helicopter (1 work-hour), totaling $13,260 for U.S. operators.
No Alternative Maintenance Without Approval
After you incorporate the new airworthiness limitations, you cannot use alternative maintenance actions, thresholds, intervals, or life limits unless approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or by EASA; or by Leonardo S.p.a. EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
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