Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13492-13495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05549]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-5030; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00322-R; 
Amendment 39-23290; AD 2026-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by reports of incorrectly installed lockwire

[[Page 13493]]

on the stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) actuator jam 
nut. This AD requires inspecting the installation of the lockwire on 
the SCAS actuator jam nut and, if the lockwire is incorrectly 
installed, removing the lockwire and installing a new lockwire 
correctly. This AD also prohibits the installation of an affected SCAS 
actuator assembly unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 24, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of April 
24, 2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5030; 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 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    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]; website: 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-2025-5030.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Yeshiambel, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (316) 946-4133; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Textron Canada 
Limited Model 429 helicopters serial numbers 57001 and subsequent with 
SCAS actuator part number (P/N) 429-001-065-107, 429-001-065-109, and 
429-001-065-111. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
November 24, 2025 (90 FR 52897). The NPRM was prompted by Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-16, dated March 17, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-16) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by Transport Canada, 
which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI states that there 
have been several reports of incorrectly installed lockwire on the SCAS 
actuator jam nut. The MCAI further states that the incorrect 
installation of the lockwire could allow the actuator jam nut to 
loosen.
    This condition, if not addressed, could lead to the SCAS actuator 
rotating about the axis of the tube, interfering with the adjacent 
structure and limiting or completely jamming control movement, 
resulting in partial or complete loss of control of the helicopter.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the 
installation of the lockwire on the SCAS actuator jam nut and, if the 
lockwire is incorrectly installed, removing the lockwire and installing 
a new lockwire correctly. The NPRM also proposed prohibiting the 
installation of an affected SCAS actuator assembly unless certain 
requirements are met.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5030.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil 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, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16, which specifies 
procedures for a one-time inspection of the lockwire installation of 
the jam nuts of the cyclic longitudinal, cyclic lateral, and 
directional SCAS actuators and, if the lockwire is improperly 
installed, removal of the lockwire and installation of a new lockwire 
in the correct direction. Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16 also prohibits 
the installation of an affected SCAS actuator assembly unless certain 
requirements are met.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 101 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 lockwire......................  1.5 work-hour x $85 per               $0            $128         $12,928
                                         hour = $128.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any repairs that would 
be required based on the results of the inspection. The agency has no 
way of determining the number of helicopters that might need this 
repair:

[[Page 13494]]



                                               On Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace lockwire..............................  .5 work-hours x $85 per hour =                $0             $43
                                                 $43.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will 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 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:

2026-06-02 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-23290; Docket 
No. FAA-2025-5030; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00322-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 24, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16, dated March 17, 2025 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-16).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6700, Rotorcraft 
flight control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed 
lockwire on the stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) 
actuator jam nut. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
incorrect installation of the lockwire. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could allow the SCAS actuator jam nut to loosen, which 
could lead to the SCAS actuator rotating about the axis of the tube, 
interfering with the adjacent structure and limiting or completely 
jamming control movement, resulting in partial or complete loss of 
control of the helicopter.

(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-2025-16.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16 requires compliance in 
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-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: [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) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Michael Yeshiambel, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4133; 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16, dated March 17, 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].


[[Page 13495]]


    Issued on March 12, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05549 Filed 3-19-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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