FAA Proposes More Maintenance Rules for Leonardo Helicopters
Published Date: 11/10/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own or work with Leonardo AW189 helicopters, the FAA wants you to update your maintenance manuals and inspection plans with new safety rules. These changes are stricter than before to keep the helicopters safer. You’ve got until December 28, 2026, to share your thoughts, and following these updates helps avoid costly repairs or risks down the line.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
You must update AW189 maintenance limits
If you operate a Leonardo Model AW189 helicopter, you must revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of your maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and your approved maintenance or inspection program to incorporate the tasks, thresholds, intervals, and life limits in AW189 89-B-AMPI-00-P, Chapter 04, Issue 009 dated November 26, 2025. You must make that revision within 30 days after the AD's effective date.
Estimated compliance cost: $85 per helicopter
The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect four U.S.-registered AW189 helicopters and that revising the ALS will take 1 work-hour at $85 per hour, equal to $85 per helicopter and $340 total for U.S. operators.
No unapproved alternative maintenance limits allowed
After you incorporate the new ALS actions, you may not use any alternative actions, thresholds, intervals, or life limits unless they are approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or by Leonardo S.p.a.'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) with an authorized signature.
You can request an AMOC but must follow procedures
Operators may request an Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC); the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has authority to approve AMOCs under 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC, you must notify your principal inspector or the local Flight Standards office.
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