Proposed Rule2026-07935
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
April 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape in the production installation of a washer installed on the tail rotor pitch link assembly (pitch link assembly). This proposed AD would require a one-time visual inspection for proper installation of the washer installed on the pitch link assembly and, depending on the results of the inspection, corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21741-21744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07935]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-3866; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01200-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape in the
production installation of a washer installed on the tail rotor pitch
link assembly (pitch link assembly). This proposed AD would require a
one-time visual inspection for proper installation of the washer
installed on the pitch link assembly and, depending on the results of
the inspection, corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by June 8, 2026.
[[Page 21742]]
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-2026-3866; 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#bfebfc91fed6cdc8d0cdcbd7d6d1daccccfbd6cddadccbd6c9dacc92fcd0d1ccd6d8d1daccdbdad1dec9d6d8deddd6d3d6cbda91ebfcffcbdc91d8dc91dcde"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9fcbdcb1def6ede8f0edebf7f6f1faececdbf6edfafcebf6e9faecb2dcf0f1ecf6f8f1faecfbfaf1fee9f6f8fefdf6f3f6ebfab1cbdcdfebfcb1f8fcb1fcfe">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find the Transport Canada
material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway,
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Enns, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316)
946-4147; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#badedbccd3de94dfd4d4c9fadcdbdb94ddd5cc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="294d485f404d074c47475a694f4848074e465f">[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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-3866; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01200-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 David
Enns, 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-2025-34, dated July 3, 2025 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2025-34) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition on certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505
helicopters. The MCAI states Bell Textron Canada Limited has discovered
a quality escape in the production installation of the pitch link
assemblies where a washer was installed in the wrong location. The MCAI
further states this incorrect installation could cause fracture of the
pitch horn stud due to fatigue or when the rotor blade exceeds the
travel during certain control inputs and blade flapping angles. The
MCAI requires a one-time inspection of the pitch link assembly for
proper installation of washer, part number 206-010-795-105, and
depending on the inspection results, reassembling the pitch link
assembly and washer or replacing the pitch link assembly, tail rotor
blade pitch horn, packings, and conical washer. The unsafe condition,
if not addressed, could result in fracture of the pitch horn stud due
to fatigue or when the rotor blade exceeds the travel during certain
control inputs and blade flapping angles and loss of directional
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-2026-3866.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34, which specifies
procedures for a one-time visual inspection for proper installation of
the pitch link assembly and, depending on the results of the
inspection, reassembling the pitch link assembly and washer or removing
and replacing the pitch link assembly, tail rotor pitch horn, packings,
and conical washer.
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 the ADDRESSES section.
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, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD
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 Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34, described previously, as
incorporated by reference, 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-2025-34 by
[[Page 21743]]
reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore,
require compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 in its entirety
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Material
required by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-3866 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 10 helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect pitch link assembly........... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $850
hour = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacements 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 these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Replace pitch link assembly, tail 4 work-hours x $85 per hour $4,396 (per assembly). Up to $9,472.
rotor pitch horn, packings, and = $340 (per assembly).
conical washer.
Remove and reassemble pitch link 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0.................... $85.
assembly. = $85.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
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-2026-3866; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01200-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by June 8, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34, dated July 3, 2025 (Transport Canada
AD CF-2025-34).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6400, Tail rotor
system
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape in the
production installation of a washer installed on the tail rotor
pitch link assembly (pitch link assembly). The FAA is issuing this
AD to detect proper installation. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in fracture of the pitch horn stud due to
fatigue or when the rotor blade exceeds the travel during certain
control inputs and blade flapping angles and loss of directional
control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
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-2025-34.
[[Page 21744]]
(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 requires compliance in
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34
specifies ``Perform a one-time inspection of the tail rotor pitch
link assembly installation'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``Perform a one-time inspection of the pitch link assembly
installation and, if applicable, remove and reassemble the pitch
link assembly and washer''.
(4) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-34 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires
removing those parts from service.
(i) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and
21.199, are not allowed.
(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#6b2a2624282b0d0a0a450c041d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4c0d01030f0c2a2d2d622b233a">[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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact David Enns, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (316) 946-4147; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82e6e3f4ebe6ace7ececf1c2e4e3e3ace5edf4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a6e6b7c636e246f6464794a6c6b6b246d657c">[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-2025-34, dated July 3, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact
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#fca8bfd2bd958e8b938e88949592998f8fb8958e999f88958a998fd1bf93928f959b92998f9899929d8a959b9d9e9590958899d2a8bfbc889fd29b9fd29f9d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f5a1b6dbb49c87829a87819d9c9b908686b19c879096819c839086d8b69a9b869c929b908691909b94839c9294979c999c8190dba1b6b58196db9296db9694">[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, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway,
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(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#2147530f484f5251444255484e4f614f4053400f464e57"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4026326e292e3330252334292f2e002e2132216e272f36">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on April 20, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-07935 Filed 4-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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