# 2026-22928: FAA Proposes More Maintenance Rules for Leonardo Helicopters 2026-22928, Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-11-10, effective Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, specified in Air vehicle maintenance planning information AW189 89-B-AMPI-00-P, Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 009, dated November 26, 2025.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22928 - As of: 2026-11-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-22928 - Title: Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration - Citation: 91 FR 72470 - Published: 2026-11-10 - Effective: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, specified in Air vehicle maintenance planning information AW189 89-B-AMPI-00-P, Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 009, dated November 26, 2025. - Comments close: 2026-12-28 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64 - Last updated: 2026-11-11 ## In one line FAA Proposes More Maintenance Rules for Leonardo Helicopters ## 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. ## Abstract The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-05-07, which applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. AD 2024-05-07 requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-05-07, it was determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing maintenance manual or ICA and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. ## Effects PRIA read - You must update AW189 maintenance limits: cost, low. 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 i… - Estimated compliance cost: $85 per helicopter: cost, low. 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: cost, low. 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 Organi… - You can request an AMOC but must follow procedures: benefit, low. 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. ## Related documents - [2026-15585](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15585): Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems, 2026-07-31 - [2026-13440](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13440): Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight, 2026-07-02 - [2026-13126](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13126): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period, 2026-06-30 - [2026-08943](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08943): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility, 2026-05-06 - [2025-04846](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-04846): Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Territory and Airspace of Libya, 2025-03-20 - [2025-03853](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-03853): Enforcement Policy Regarding “Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees Located Outside of the United States; Corre…, 2025-03-11 ## Sources - [2026-22928 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/10/2026-22928/airworthiness-directives-leonardo-spa-helicopters) - [2026-22928 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-10/pdf/2026-22928.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-22919, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate P…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22919) - [Next: 2026-22936, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22936) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22928 (as of 2026-11-11).