Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 68 (Thursday, April 10, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15310-15312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06121]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0486; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00348-R; 
Amendment 39-23007; AD 2025-06-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 505 helicopters. The 
FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners 
and operators of these helicopters. This AD was prompted by deformation 
and/or improper pin engagement in the knuckles of the door hinge on the 
aft movable ballast box assembly. This AD requires removing all ballast 
weights from the aft movable ballast box assembly and prohibits the use 
of ballast weights within the aft movable ballast box assembly, as 
specified in a Transport Canada emergency AD, which is incorporated by 
reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 25, 2025. Emergency AD 2025-06-51, 
issued on March 21, 2025, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment, was effective with actual notice.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 25, 
2025.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by May 27, 2025.

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 regulations.gov. 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 regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0486; 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 final rule, 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 AD, 
contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft 
Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; 
phone: (888) 663-3639; email: [email protected]. You may view this material on the 
Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
    <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) 222-5110. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0486.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 
474-5548; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0486; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2025-00348-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
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 final rule 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 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Dan 
McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued Emergency AD 2025-06-51, dated March 21, 2025 (the 
emergency AD), to address an unsafe condition on Bell Model 505 
helicopters, serial numbers 65011 and subsequent with ballast kit part 
number (P/N) SLS-706-201-007 installed. The FAA sent the emergency AD 
to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. The 
emergency AD requires removing all ballast weights from the aft movable 
ballast box assembly, P/N SLS-706-201-007, and prohibits the use of 
ballast weights within the aft movable ballast box assembly.
    The emergency AD was prompted by Emergency AD CF-2025-17, dated 
March 19, 2025 (Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2025-17) (also 
referred to as ``the MCAI''), issued by Transport Canada, which is the 
aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI states that Bell has discovered 
possible plastic deformation and/or improper pin engagement in the 
knuckles of the door hinge on the aft movable ballast box assembly, P/N 
SLS-706-201-007. Ballast weights escaping the ballast box have a high 
potential of striking the tail rotor assembly. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent damage to and departure of tail rotor blades, loss of 
tail rotor thrust, and severe vibrations. Any of

[[Page 15311]]

these conditions, if not addressed, will lead to loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0486.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2025-17, which 
specifies procedures for removing all ballast weights from the aft 
movable ballast box assembly, P/N SLS-706-201-007, and prohibits the 
use of ballast weights within the aft movable ballast box assembly.
    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

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is 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 
described above. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on 
other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the MCAI, 
except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory 
text of this AD.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. Bell is 
developing inspection procedures intended to address the unsafe 
conditions. Once this inspection is developed, approved, and available, 
the FAA might consider additional rulemaking.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2025-06-51 issued on March 21, 2025, to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA found that the risk 
to the flying public justified waiving notice and comment prior to 
adoption of this rule because ballast weights escaping the ballast box 
have a high potential of striking the tail rotor assembly, which could 
result in damage and/or departure of tail rotor blades, loss of tail 
rotor thrust, and severe vibrations; these conditions will result in 
loss of control of the helicopter. In addition, this AD requires 
removal of the ballast weights from the aft movable ballast box 
assembly before further flight. These conditions still exist, 
therefore, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 174 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                       Estimated Costs of Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Cost on U.S.
                Action                        Labor cost          Parts cost   Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, weight removal...........  0.5 work-hour x $85 per            $0              $42.50          $7,395
                                        hour = $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 15312]]

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:

2025-06-51 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-23007; Docket 
No. FAA-2025-0486; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00348-R.

(a) Effective Date

    The FAA issued emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-06-51 
on March 21, 2025, directly to affected owners and operators. As a 
result of such actual notice, the emergency AD was effective for 
those owners and operators on the date it was provided. This AD 
contains the same requirements as the emergency AD and, for those 
who did not receive actual notice, is effective on April 25, 2025.

(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 Emergency AD CF-2025-17, dated March 19, 2025 
(Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2025-17).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by deformation and/or improper pin 
engagement in the knuckles of the door hinge on the aft movable 
ballast box assembly, which could allow the ballast weights to 
escape the ballast box and strike the tail rotor assembly. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent damage and/or departure of tail rotor 
blades, loss of tail rotor thrust, and severe vibrations. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of 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 Emergency AD CF-2025-17.

(h) Exception to Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2025-17

    Where Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2025-17 refers to its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.

(i) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, those instructions must 
be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Bell 
Textron Canada Limited's Transport Canada Design Approval 
Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must 
include the DAO-authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Dan McCully, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 474-5548; email: 
[email protected].

(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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2025-17, dated March 19, 
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: [email protected]. 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, 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) 222-5110.
    (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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on March 28, 2025.
Paul R. Bernado,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-06121 Filed 4-7-25; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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