Proposed Rule2026-19345
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
September 22, 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 429 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of the sliding doors jamming when opened from the inside of the helicopter, due to the aft lower roller assembly disengaging from the aft lower rail. This proposed AD would require inspecting the lower aft bracket and rail cavity for contact marks and, depending on the findings, performing applicable corrective actions. This proposed AD would also require modifying the roller assembly configuration. 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 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60026-60028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19345]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-11783; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01775-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 429 helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of the sliding doors jamming when
opened from the inside of the helicopter, due to the aft lower roller
assembly disengaging from the aft lower rail. This proposed AD would
require inspecting the lower aft bracket and rail cavity for contact
marks and, depending on the findings, performing applicable corrective
actions. This proposed AD would also require modifying the roller
assembly configuration. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by November 6, 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-2026-11783; 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#1367703d727a61647c61677b7a7d766060777a617670677a6576603e707c7d607a747d766077767d72657a7472717a7f7a67763d67705367703d74703d7072"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fe8a9dd09f978c89918c8a9697909b8d8d9a978c9b9d8a97889b8dd39d91908d9799909b8d9a9b909f8897999f9c9792978a9bd08a9dbe8a9dd0999dd09d9f">[email protected]</span></a>; website: 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#a8ccc9dec1cc86cdc6c6dbe8cec9c986cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5c1c4d3ccc18bc0cbcbd6e5c3c4c48bc2cad3">[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-2026-11783; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01775-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-2025-64, dated December 1, 2025
(Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64) (also referred to as the MCAI), to
correct an unsafe condition on certain Bell Textron Canada Limited
Model 429 helicopters. The MCAI states that there have been reports of
the sliding doors jamming when opened from the inside of the
helicopter. The condition was found to be caused by the aft lower
roller assembly, part number (P/N) 429-030-897-101, disengaging from
the aft lower rail, P/N 429-030-575-103.
The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent the doors from jamming. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in jamming of the
doors in an emergency situation, and obstructing occupant evacuation.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-11783.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64, dated December 1,
2025, which specifies procedures for inspecting the lower aft bracket
and rail cavity for contact marks and repairing or replacing any
affected part. Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64 also requires modifying
the roller configuration for Group 1 and Group 2 helicopters, and
inspecting the roller configuration and performing corrective actions
for all three groups of helicopters, which includes modifying the
roller assembly or support assembly if any conditions are detected.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course
[[Page 60027]]
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-2025-64, described previously, as
incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. See ``Differences Between
this Proposed AD and the MCAI'' for a discussion of the general
differences included in this proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64
specifies to repair or refinish if there are contact marks on the lower
aft bracket and the rails, this proposed AD would require corrective
actions in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Bell
Textron Canada Limited Transport Canada Design Approval Organization
(DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-
authorized signature.
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-2025-64 by reference in the FAA final rule. This
proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with Transport Canada
AD CF-2025-64 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-2025-64 for
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-
2026-11783 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 150 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
Action Labor cost Parts cost product Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspect lower aft bracket and rail 1 work-hours x $85 $0 $85 $12,750.
cavity. per hour = $85.
Modify roller assembly (right-hand 8 work-hours x $85 0 680 Up to $102,000.
and left-hand side). per hour = $680.
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The repairs needed as a result of repairing or replacing an
affected part due to the required inspection, or if any of the
conditions are detected, could vary significantly from helicopter to
helicopter. The FAA has no way of determining the costs to accomplish
the repairs or the number of helicopters that may require repair.
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-2026-11783; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01775-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 6, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
[[Page 60028]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64, dated December 1, 2025 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2025-64).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5200, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of the sliding doors jamming
when opened from the inside of the helicopter, due to the aft lower
roller assembly disengaging from the aft lower rail. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent the doors from jamming. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in jamming of the doors in
an emergency situation, and obstructing occupant evacuation.
(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-2025-64.
(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-64 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those
parts from service.
(i) 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 (j) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#581915171b183e3939763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2e3efede1e2c4c3c38cc5cdd4">[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 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#325653445b561c575c5c41725453531c555d44"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa9e9b8c939ed49f949489ba9c9b9bd49d958c">[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) Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64, dated December 1, 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#b1c5d29fd0d8c3c6dec3c5d9d8dfd4c2c2d5d8c3d4d2c5d8c7d4c29cd2dedfc2d8d6dfd4c2d5d4dfd0c7d8d6d0d3d8ddd8c5d49fc5d2f1c5d29fd6d29fd2d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3f4b5c115e564d48504d4b5756515a4c4c5b564d5a5c4b56495a4c125c50514c5658515a4c5b5a515e4956585e5d5653564b5a114b5c7f4b5c11585c115c5e">[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#5b3d29753235282b3e382f3234351b353a293a753c342d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="781e0a5611160b081d1b0c1117163816190a19561f170e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 16, 2026.
Hollister B. Thorson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19345 Filed 9-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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