Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the determination that the requirement to accomplish a rated load check (RTC) on certain hoist assemblies may have been inadvertently left out of some aircraft maintenance publications (AMPs). This AD requires performing an RTC on certain part-numbered hoist assemblies with certain part-numbered hoist cables installed and corrective actions if any discrepancies are found as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.