Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23150 · Engine air intake system
Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a fire occurring during the operational check of the engine anti-icing system. This AD requires inspecting and measuring the resistance of the air intake electrical connectors, inspecting the bonding strap, reporting the results of the inspections, and depending on the results of the inspection, accomplishing corrective actions. This AD also prohibits the installation of an air intake controller unless certain actions are accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in and in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0147, dated July 11, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0147).
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0147 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0147 refers to flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0147 refers to isolation resistance check or isolation check, this AD requires using isolation resistance measurement.
(4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0147 states “any discrepancy”, this AD requires replacing that text with “any isolation resistance that is less than 10 MΩ at 500Vdc +/−50Vdc”.
(5) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0147 states “contact Leonardo Product Support Engineering for applicable instructions”, this AD requires replacing that text with “repair the discrepancy using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature”.
(6) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2025-0147 states “any discrepancy is detected”, this AD requires replacing that text with “if bonding strap is missing”.
(7) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0147.
