The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule regarding a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo AW189 helicopters. This directive is a response to reports of failures in the main rotor (MR) damper, which, if not fixed, could result in severe helicopter control issues. The rule mandates regular inspections and replacements of the MR dampers, along with other checks to prevent unsafe conditions. The new rule takes effect on April 1, 2021, and aims to ensure these helicopters remain safe to operate.
Simple Explanation
The FAA has made a new rule for certain helicopters because a part called the main rotor damper might break, which could lead to bad problems when flying. The rule says these parts need to be checked and sometimes replaced to keep the helicopters safe.