Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43544-43546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17384]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-2276; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00699-R; 
Amendment 39-23137; AD 2025-18-10]
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 Model 505 helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by a report of a crack on the mounting bracket on the oil 
cooler fan assembly housing. This AD requires a one-time visual 
inspection for cracks on the mounting bracket on the oil cooler fan 
assembly housing and modification of the mounting bracket. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 25, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
25, 2025.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 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-2025-2276; 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 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, 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-2025-2276.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (817) 222-5225; 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 using a method listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-2276; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2025-00699-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 Steven 
Warwick, 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-2025-23, dated April 23, 2025 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-23) (also referred to as ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition on Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters, 
serial numbers 65011 through 65020 and 65022 through 65027. The MCAI 
states that an occurrence of a cracked mounting bracket on the oil 
cooler fan assembly housing was reported. During the subsequent 
investigation, it was determined that the initial design of a `Z' 
shaped bracket that was welded to the oil cooler fan assembly housing 
and then bolted to a bracket on the truss was susceptible to cracking. 
As a result, the manufacturer improved the design of the mounting 
bracket to incorporate a slotted bracket bolted to both the oil cooler 
fan assembly housing and the

[[Page 43545]]

truss. The MCAI requires a one-time visual inspection for cracks and 
modification of the right bracket of the oil cooler fan assembly 
housing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure 
of the drive shaft, loss of the tail rotor drive, and consequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2276.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23, which specifies 
procedures for a one-time visual inspection for cracks and modification 
of the right bracket of the oil cooler fan assembly housing. 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 aviation authority 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 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 Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-23, described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 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 civil aviation 
authority (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, 
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 is incorporated by reference in this AD. 
This AD requires compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 in its 
entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Material 
required by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 for compliance will be 
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2276 after this 
AD is published.

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 requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the failure of the mounting support of the oil cooler fan 
assembly housing could lead to failure of the drive shaft, loss of the 
tail rotor drive, and consequent loss of control of the helicopter. For 
this reason, the initial actions required by this AD must be 
accomplished within 25 hours time-in-service or 30 days, whichever 
occurs first, which is shorter than the time necessary for the public 
to comment and for publication of the final rule. Accordingly, 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 prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect mounting bracket.................  1.5 work-hours x $85 per              $0         $128            $768
                                            hour = $128.
Modify right mounting bracket............  2.5 work-hours x $85 per               0          213           1,278
                                            hour = $213.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this 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

    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

[[Page 43546]]

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:

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:

2025-18-10 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-23137; Docket 
No. FAA-2025-2276; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00699-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 25, 
2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 
helicopters, serial numbers 65011 through 65020 inclusive and 65022 
through 65027 inclusive, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7311, Engine Fuel/
Oil Cooler.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked mounting bracket 
on the oil cooler fan assembly housing. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to prevent cracking on the mounting bracket of the oil cooler fan 
assembly housing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead 
to failure of the drive shaft and loss of the tail rotor drive with 
consequent 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 AD CF-2025-23, dated April 23, 
2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23).

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 requires compliance in 
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 specifies ``Within 25 
hours air time or 30 days from the effective date of this AD'', this 
AD requires replacing that text with ``Within 25 hours time-in-
service or 30 days from the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first''.
    (4) Where paragraph 1. of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-23 
specifies ``conduct a visual inspection of the right bracket of the 
oil cooler blower housing'', this AD requires replacing that text 
with ``conduct a visual inspection and, if applicable, a gap 
measurement of the right bracket of the oil cooler blower housing''.

(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: [email protected].
    (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 Steven Warwick, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: 
[email protected].

(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-2025-23, dated April 23, 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: [email protected]. 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, 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 September 5, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17384 Filed 9-8-25; 11:15 am]
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