Proposed Rule2026-02138
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 3, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) Model 407 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that chafing can occur at various locations on the electrical harnesses located in the aircraft instrument panel area. This proposed AD would require a one- time detailed visual inspection of the electrical harnesses for chafing and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require rotation of the backshell cast housing of connectors of the lower engine airframe unit and installation of a wire harness bracket and support, and for certain helicopters, installation of a wire bundle sleeve. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4857-4860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02138]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0736; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00698-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) Model 407 helicopters.
This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that chafing can occur
at various locations on the electrical harnesses located in the
aircraft instrument panel area. This proposed AD would require a one-
time detailed visual inspection of the electrical harnesses for chafing
and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also
require rotation of the backshell cast housing of connectors of the
lower engine airframe unit and installation of a wire harness bracket
and support, and for certain helicopters, installation of a wire bundle
sleeve. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by March 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0736; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Transport Canada material identified in this proposed
AD, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft
Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, CANADA;
phone: (888) 663-3639; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5b0f18751a32292c34292f3332353e28281f32293e382f322d3e287618343528323c353e283f3e353a2d323c3a393237322f3e750f181b2f38753c3875383a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2571660b644c57524a57514d4c4b405656614c574046514c53405608664a4b564c424b405641404b44534c4244474c494c51400b71666551460b42460b4644">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find the Transport Canada
material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
[[Page 4858]]
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5118.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Williams, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (316) 946-4134; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#04696570706c61732a702a736d68686d656977446265652a636b72"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="15787461617d70623b613b627c79797c747866557374743b727a63">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-0736;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00698-R'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Matthew Williams, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22, dated April 23, 2025 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2025-22) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition on certain BTCL Model 407 helicopters. The MCAI states
that chafing could occur between the primary flight display/multi-
function display harnesses and the cable harness protection system rack
and could also occur between the electrical harnesses and the shroud
behind the instrument panel area. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in smoke or fire in the cockpit and loss of control of the
helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0736.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22, which specifies
procedures for a detailed visual inspection of the electrical harnesses
located behind the instrument panel for chafing and, depending on the
inspection results, repairing damaged parts (chafed electrical
harnesses) and performing further inspections; rotating the backshell
cast housing; and installing the wire harness bracket and support. This
material also specifies procedures for certain helicopters without a
sleeve installed on the wire bundle, installing a sleeve to cover the
wire bundle.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
(CAA) of another country and are approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of
Design Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the material already described, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary
source of information for compliance with requirements for
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with
manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22 by reference in the FAA final rule. This
proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with Transport Canada
AD CF-2025-22 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for
any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this
proposed AD. Material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22 for
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-
2026-0736 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 333 helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect electrical harness........ 8 work-hours x $85 $0 $680 $226,440.
per hour = $680.
Install wire bundle sleeve........ 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 Up to 28,305.
hour = $85.
Rotate backshell cast housing..... 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 Up to 28,305.
hour = $85.
[[Page 4859]]
Secure wire harness and install 1 work-hour x $85 per 100 185 61,605.
bracket and support. hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following cost to do any repair that would be
required based on the results of the proposed inspection. The agency
has no way of determining the number of helicopters that might need
this repair:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair wire bundle.......................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $0 $85
$85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Bell Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2026-0736; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-00698-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 20, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 407
helicopters, serial numbers 54300 through 54752, 54805 through
54999, and 56300 through 56366 and 56368, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 1420, Electrical
Connectors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that chafing can occur
at various locations on the electrical harnesses located in the
aircraft instrument panel area. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect
and address chafing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in smoke or fire in the cockpit and loss of control of the
helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22, dated April 23,
2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22).
(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22 requires compliance in
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-22 specifies ``grounding screw heads should face on the left
hand side'' or ``grounding screw heads should face left hand side'',
this AD requires replacing that text with ``grounding screw heads
must face on the left-hand side''.
(i) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#01404c4e42416760602f666e77"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d1c10121e1d3b3c3c733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
[[Page 4860]]
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Matthew Williams,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4134; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2cfc3d6d6cac7d58cd68cd5cbcececbc3cfd1e2c4c3c38cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1dcd0c5c5d9d4c69fc59fc6d8ddddd8d0dcc2f1d7d0d09fd6dec7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22, dated April 23, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact
Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification,
159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888)
663-3639; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9bcfd8b5daf2e9ecf4e9eff3f2f5fee8e8dff2e9fef8eff2edfee8b6d8f4f5e8f2fcf5fee8fffef5faedf2fcfaf9f2f7f2effeb5cfd8dbeff8b5fcf8b5f8fa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fbafb8d5ba92898c94898f9392959e8888bf92899e988f928d9e88d6b8949588929c959e889f9e959a8d929c9a999297928f9ed5afb8bb8f98d59c98d5989a">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on
the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5118.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6107134f080f1211040215080e0f210f0013004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c9afbbe7a0a7bab9acaabda0a6a789a7a8bba8e7aea6bf">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 28, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-02138 Filed 2-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 3, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.