Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50693-50695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-16043]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-3866; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01200-R; 
Amendment 39-23432; AD 2026-16-02]
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 505 helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by a report of a quality escape in the production installation 
of a washer installed on the tail rotor pitch link assembly (pitch link 
assembly). This AD requires a one-time visual inspection for proper 
installation of the washer installed on the pitch link assembly and, 
depending on the results of the inspection, corrective actions. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 10, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
10, 2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3866; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

[[Page 50694]]

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]. 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, 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. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-3866.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Enns, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 
946-4147; 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 certain Bell Textron 
Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on April 23, 2026 (91 FR 21741). The NPRM was prompted 
by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34, dated July 3, 2025, (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2025-34) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by 
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI 
states Bell Textron Canada Limited has discovered a quality escape in 
the production installation of the pitch link assemblies where a washer 
was installed in the wrong location. The MCAI further states this 
incorrect installation could cause fracture of the pitch horn stud due 
to fatigue or when the rotor blade exceeds the travel during certain 
control inputs and blade flapping angles. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in fracture of the pitch horn stud due to 
fatigue or when the rotor blade exceeds the travel during certain 
control inputs and blade flapping angles and loss of directional 
control of the helicopter.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time visual 
inspection for proper installation of the washer installed on the pitch 
link assembly and, depending on the results of the inspection, 
corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3866.

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. This AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34, which specifies 
procedures for a one-time visual inspection for proper installation of 
the pitch link assembly and, depending on the results of the 
inspection, reassembling the pitch link assembly and washer or removing 
and replacing the pitch link assembly, tail rotor pitch horn, packings, 
and conical washer.
    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 10 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 pitch link assembly..............  1 work-hour x $85 per hour            $0          $85            $850
                                            = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacements 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 
these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                  Labor cost                Parts cost                  Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace pitch link assembly,     4 work-hours x     $4,396 (per assembly)...........  Up to $9,472.
 tail rotor pitch horn,           $85 per hour =
 packings, and conical washer.    $340 (per
                                  assembly).
Remove and reassemble pitch      1 work-hour x $85  $0..............................  $85.
 link assembly.                   per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 50695]]

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:

2026-16-02 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-23432; Docket 
No. FAA-2026-3866; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01200-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 10, 
2026.

(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 AD CF-2025-34, dated July 3, 2025 (Transport Canada 
AD CF-2025-34).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6400, Tail rotor 
system.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape in the 
production installation of a washer installed on the tail rotor 
pitch link assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect proper 
installation. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in fracture of the pitch horn stud due to fatigue or when the rotor 
blade exceeds the travel during certain control inputs and blade 
flapping angles and loss of directional 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-2025-34.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 requires compliance in 
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) Where paragraph (1) of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 
specifies ``Perform a one-time inspection of the tail rotor pitch 
link assembly installation'', this AD requires replacing that text 
with ``Perform a one-time inspection of the tail rotor pitch link 
assembly installation and, if applicable, remove and reassemble the 
pitch link assembly and washer''.
    (4) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-34 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires 
removing those parts from service.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199, are not allowed.

(j) 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 (k) 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.

(k) 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: [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-2025-34, dated July 3, 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, 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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on July 30, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-16043 Filed 8-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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