Proposed Rule2026-18522
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
September 10, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR02684LA installed. This proposed AD was prompted by an event where a Bell Model 206L helicopter with FAA STC SR02684LA installed experienced moderate to severe vertical vibration, which resulted in damage to the tail boom of the helicopter. This proposed AD would require revising the Limitations section of the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter to include a never-exceed-speed (V<INF>NE</INF>) limitation and would require incorporating a rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS) into the existing RFM. 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 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57519-57521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18522]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-8796; Project Identifier AD-2026-00018-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 all Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3,
and 206L-4 helicopters with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
SR02684LA installed. This proposed AD was prompted by an event where a
Bell Model 206L helicopter with FAA STC SR02684LA installed experienced
moderate to severe vertical vibration, which resulted in damage to the
tail boom of the helicopter. This proposed AD would require revising
the Limitations section of the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM)
for the helicopter to include a never-exceed-speed (V<INF>NE</INF>)
limitation and would require incorporating a rotorcraft flight manual
supplement (RFMS) into the existing RFM. The FAA is proposing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD 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.
<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-2026-8796; 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, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Van Horn Aviation, L.L.C. material identified in this
proposed AD, contact Van Horn Aviation, LLC, 1510 West Drake Drive,
Tempe, AZ 85283; phone: (480) 483-4202; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#553c3b333a1523343b3d3a273b34233c34213c3a3b7b363a38"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="563f383039162037383e39243837203f37223f39387835393b">[email protected]</span></a>.
<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: James Guo, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-
5357; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b7c6869066864786b4d4a4a054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b4e3f7f699f7fbe7f4d2d5d59ad3dbc2">[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-2026-8796; Project Identifier
AD-2026-00018-R'' at the beginning of your
[[Page 57520]]
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 revise 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 James
Guo, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
CA 90712. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA received a report of an event involving a Model 206L
helicopter with Van Horn Aviation main rotor blades, part number
20633000-101. These blades were approved for installation through FAA
STC SR02684LA.
During this event, the helicopter experienced an unexpected
moderate-to-severe vertical vibration during flight. Due to the
unexpected vibration, the pilot initially lowered the collective to
begin a descent. Subsequently, when the pilot raised the collective and
initiated a left turn, the vibration diminished. The pilot was able to
complete a landing without further incident; however, post-flight
inspection revealed that the helicopter had sustained tail boom damage.
Due to this event, the manufacturer issued material that includes
accomplishing existing maintenance actions that may help reduce the
likelihood of this unsafe condition. The root cause for the vibration
is still being investigated. Due to risk analysis based on historical
events and ongoing investigation, the FAA has determined that this
proposed interim AD is necessary to mitigate risk. This condition, if
not addressed, could result in structural damage to the aircraft and
loss of control of the helicopter.
FAA's Determination
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Van Horn Aviation, L.L.C. Rotorcraft Flight Manual
Supplement, Document No. 206L-MR-FMS-101, Revision 0, dated March 25,
2026 (VHA RFMS). This material specifies procedures to accomplish in
the event of an unexpected moderate-to-severe vibration during flight.
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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the existing RFM for the
helicopter to include revising the Limitations section to include a
text stating a V<INF>NE</INF> limitation based on gross weight. This
proposed AD would also require revising the existing RFM for the
helicopter by incorporating the VHA RFMS.
The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot
certificate may revise the existing RFM for the helicopter and must
enter compliance into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance
with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The pilot may perform this
action because it only involves revising the RFM, which could be
performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. This is an exception
to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Referenced Material
Where the material in Section 1, ``Limitations,'' of the VHA RFMS
specifies ``No Limitations,'' this proposed AD would require revising
the RFM to also include a V<INF>NE</INF> limitation based on gross
weight. Due to risk analysis based on historical events and ongoing
investigation, the FAA has determined that this V<INF>NE</INF>
limitation is necessary to mitigate risk.
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action.
If further action is later identified, the FAA might consider further
rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 200 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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Revise the RFM........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $17,000
hour = $85.
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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
[[Page 57521]]
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-2026-8796; Project
Identifier AD-2026-00018-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 all Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206L,
206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, certificated in any
category, with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR02684LA
installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6210, Main Rotor
Blades.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an event where an affected helicopter
with FAA STC SR02684LA installed experienced moderate to severe
vertical vibration which resulted in damage to the tail boom of the
helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent excessive
vibration which may result in structural failure. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in structural damage to
the aircraft and loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD revise
the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter by
accomplishing the following:
(i) Insert the Van Horn Aviation, L.L.C. Rotorcraft Flight
Manual Supplement, Document No. 206L-MR-FMS-101, Revision 0, dated
March 25, 2026.
(ii) In the Limitations section of the RFM, insert the following
text with pen and ink: ``V<INF>NE</INF> is 85 KIAS (98 MPH) when
Gross Weight is 3400 lb or below, or placarded V<INF>NE</INF>,
whichever is less''.
(2) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot
certificate may revise the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual for the
helicopter as required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) and must
enter compliance with this requirement into the helicopter
maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR
91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR
91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(h) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199, provided the flight is restricted to a speed of
no greater than 85 KIAS while the Gross Weight is less than 3400
lbs.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, West Certification 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 West Certification Branch, send it to
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD
and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#67262a28242701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da9b9795999abcbbbbf4bdb5ac">[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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact James Guo, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712;
phone: (562) 627-5357; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5403171679171b07143235357a333b22"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7e293d3c533d312d3e181f1f50191108">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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) Van Horn Aviation, L.L.C. Rotorcraft Flight Manual
Supplement, Document No. 206L-MR-FMS-101, Revision 0, dated March
25, 2026.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Van Horn Aviation, L.L.C. material identified in this AD
contact Van Horn Aviation, LLC, 1510 West Drake Drive, Tempe, AZ
85283; phone: (480) 483-4202; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84edeae2ebc4f2e5eaecebf6eae5f2ede5f0edebeaaae7ebe9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4821262e27083e292620273a26293e21293c212726662b2725">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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#96f0e4b8fff8e5e6f3f5e2fff9f8d6f8f7e4f7b8f1f9e0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99ffebb7f0f7eae9fcfaedf0f6f7d9f7f8ebf8b7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 4, 2026.
Christopher R. Parker,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-18522 Filed 9-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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