Proposed Rule2026-18468
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
September 10, 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 quality escape affecting certain tailcone assemblies. This proposed AD would require replacing any tailcone assembly that has exceeded a certain life limit. Also, this proposed AD would require inspecting the tailcone assembly for gaps, and repetitively inspecting the tailcone assembly for loose, damaged, or missing fasteners. Depending on the results of these inspections, this proposed AD would require conducting further inspections and corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57516-57519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18468]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-8798; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01771-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 Model 505 helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by a quality escape affecting certain tailcone
assemblies. This proposed AD would require replacing any tailcone
assembly that has exceeded a certain life limit. Also, this proposed AD
would require inspecting the tailcone assembly for gaps, and
repetitively inspecting the tailcone assembly for loose, damaged, or
missing fasteners. Depending on the results of these inspections, this
proposed AD would require conducting further inspections and 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 October 26, 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.
[[Page 57517]]
<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-2026-8798; 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#2571660b644c57524a57514d4c4b405656614c574046514c53405608664a4b564c424b405641404b44534c4244474c494c51400b71666551460b42460b4644"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d78394f996bea5a0b8a5a3bfbeb9b2a4a493bea5b2b4a3bea1b2a4fa94b8b9a4beb0b9b2a4b3b2b9b6a1beb0b6b5bebbbea3b2f9839497a3b4f9b0b4f9b4b6">[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: Zakaria Abdi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (316) 946-4141; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#611b000a001308004f074f00030508210700004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7309121812011a125d155d1211171a331512125d141c05">[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-2026-8798; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01771-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
Zakaria Abdi, 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-2025-62, dated November 28, 2025
(Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62) (also referred to as the MCAI), to
correct an unsafe condition on certain Bell Textron Canada Limited
Model 505 helicopters. The MCAI states that the manufacturer identified
a quality escape affecting tailcone assemblies having part number (P/N)
SLS-030-600-XYZ and with certain serial numbers as identified in the
service material. The MCAI further states that gaps were found between
the frames and skin of the tailcone assembly, and elongated holes have
been observed in multiple joints of the tailboom. The MCAI also states
that these discrepancies may lead to the initiation of a crack in a
non-inspectable area of the tailboom skin, which can propagate
circumferentially and remain undetected until it reaches a critical
length. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in
a tailboom skin fracture, separation of the tailboom from the fuselage,
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-2026-8798.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62, which specifies
procedures for replacing a tailcone assembly before exceeding the
airworthiness life limit. Transport Canada also specifies procedures
for inspecting the tailcone assembly for gaps and if there are gaps
greater than 0.003 inch (0.076 mm), inspecting the tailboom skin.
Depending on those inspection results, Transport Canada specifies
procedures to contact Bell for corrective actions. Additionally,
Transport Canada specifies procedures to repetitively inspect the
tailcone assembly for loose, damaged, or missing fasteners, and,
depending on the results of the inspection, contacting Bell for
corrective actions.
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, 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 Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 described previously, as incorporated
by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in
the regulatory text of this proposed AD. See ``Differences Between this
Proposed AD and the MCAI'' for a discussion of these differences.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI requires contacting Bell product support engineering for
applicable repair instructions, whereas this proposed AD would require
repairing using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; Transport Canada; or Bell Textron Canada
Limited's Transport Canada Design Organization Approval (DOA).
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
[[Page 57518]]
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-2025-62 by reference in the FAA final rule. This
proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with Transport Canada
AD CF-2025-62 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-2025-62 for
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-
2026-8798 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 190 helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect tailcone for gaps............. 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 $64,600
hour = $340.
Inspect tailcone for loose, damaged, 3 work-hours x $85 per 0 255 48,450
or missing fasteners. hour = $255.
Replace tailcone...................... 30 work-hours x $85 per 54,280 56,830 10,797,700
hour = $2,550.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacements or
repairs 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 replacements or repairs.
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect tailcone repetitively (for gap larger 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $0 $85
than 0.003 inch).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has no way to determine the cost estimate of repairing any
damage using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA; Transport Canada; or Bell Textron Canada Limited's
Transport Canada DOA.
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-2026-8798; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01771-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 26, 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-2025-62, dated November 28, 2025 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2025-62).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5302, Rotorcraft
tailboom.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the identification of a manufacturing
quality escape affecting certain tailcone assemblies. The FAA is
issuing this AD to detect and correct crack initiation in the
tailboom skin. The unsafe condition, if not detected and corrected,
could result in a tailboom skin fracture, separation of the tailboom
from the fuselage, and loss of control of the helicopter.
[[Page 57519]]
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62.
(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 requires compliance in
terms of hours air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-
service.
(3) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 specifies to contact
Bell Product Support Engineering (PSE) for repair or disposition,
this AD requires corrective action in accordance with a method
approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or
Transport Canada; or Bell Textron Canada Limited's Transport Canada
Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(4) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-62 specifies ``check'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``inspect''.
(5) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-62 specifies damage, for the purposes of this AD, damage can be
indicated by, but not limited to, excessive wear marks, or yielding
to the fastener head.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-
62 specifies submitting certain information to the manufacturer,
this AD does not include that action.
(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#c3828e8c8083a5a2a2eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ffbeb2b0bcbf999e9ed1989089">[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 Zakaria Abdi,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, New York, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4141; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3c9d2d8d2c1dad29dd59dd2d1d7daf3d5d2d29dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5a203b313b28333b743c743b383e331a3c3b3b743d352c">[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-2025-62, dated November 28, 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#e2b6a1cca38b90958d90968a8b8c879191a68b908781968b948791cfa18d8c918b858c879186878c83948b8583808b8e8b9687ccb6a1a29681cc8581cc8183"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="095d4a2748607b7e667b7d6160676c7a7a4d607b6c6a7d607f6c7a244a66677a606e676c7a6d6c67687f606e686b6065607d6c275d4a497d6a276e6a276a68">[email protected]</span></a>. You
may view 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#274155094e4954574244534e4849674946554609404851"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0563772b6c6b76756066716c6a6b456b6477642b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 3, 2026.
Paul R. Bernado,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-18468 Filed 9-9-26; 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 September 10, 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.