Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58814-58817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19052]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-4658; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00014-R; 
Amendment 39-23465; AD 2026-18-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 58815]]

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by reports that the identification plate affixed to certain 
tail cone assemblies contains an incorrect part number (P/N), which may 
not accurately convey the life limit. This AD requires verifying the 
tail cone assembly part number and, if necessary, replacing the 
incorrect tail cone assembly identification plate with a new tail cone 
assembly identification plate containing the correct P/N and updating 
the existing log book or equivalent record for the helicopter. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 22, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publication listed in this AD as of October 22, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-4658; 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, 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-2026-4658.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brande Ali-Turner, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (847) 294-7132; 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 June 22, 2026 (91 FR 37057). The NPRM was prompted 
by Transport Canada AD CF-2026-01, dated January 12, 2026 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2026-01) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by 
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI 
states that there are reports that the identification plate affixed to 
some Bell 505 helicopter tail cone assemblies (P/N SLS-030-600-007 and 
P/N SLS-030-600-009) mistakenly contains an incorrect P/N. The MCAI 
further states that the tail cone assembly is subject to a life limit 
published in the Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, and if the P/N on 
the identification plate remains uncorrected, it could be incorrectly 
determined that the tail cone assembly has an unlimited airworthiness 
life. If the tail cone assembly is not replaced because of the 
incorrect identification plate, it could lead to fatigue cracking of 
the tailboom and loss of control of the helicopter.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require verifying the tail cone 
assembly part number and, if necessary, replacing the incorrect tail 
cone assembly identification plate with a new tail cone assembly 
identification plate containing the correct P/N and updating the 
existing log book or equivalent record for the helicopter. 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-2026-4658.

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-2026-01, which specifies 
procedures for verifying and, if necessary, replacing the tail cone 
assembly identification plate with a new plate marked with the correct 
part number. 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 would affect 182 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verify tail cone assembly part number....  1 work-hour x $85 per hour            $0          $85         $15,470
                                            = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 58816]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                     Action                                  Labor cost               Parts cost      product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace tail cone assembly identification plate  2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170           $5            $175
Update existing log book.......................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..            0              85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 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:

2026-18-10 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-23465; Docket 
No. FAA-2026-4658; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00014-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 22, 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-2026-01, dated January 12, 2026 (Transport 
Canada AD CF-2026-01)

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5302, Rotorcraft 
tail boom.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that the identification plate 
affixed to certain tail cone assemblies contains an incorrect part 
number. The FAA is issuing this AD to ensure proper identification 
of the tail cone assembly and compliance with its approved life 
limit. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to non-
replacement of the tail cone assembly within the life limit, which 
could result in possible fatigue cracking of the tailboom and 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-2026-01.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2026-01

    (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2026-01 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2026-01 requires compliance in 
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2026-01 specifies scrapping or destroying certain parts, this AD 
requires removing those parts from service.
    (4) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2026-01 specifies making an entry in the helicopter's log book and 
historical service records, this AD requires making an entry of the 
tail cone assembly part number and serial number of the replacement 
identification plate in the existing helicopter log book or 
equivalent document but you are not required to make an entry of 
compliance with the material.

(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 Brande Ali-Turner, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 294-7132; 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-2026-01, dated January 12, 2026.
    (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:

[[Page 58817]]

[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, 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 September 10, 2026.
Hollister B. Thorson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19052 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T00:46:07.457401+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

1e0c6ecb5db3adb37dc9eeec5979f6fb260fa5569c1a1f303e7bda780de81c5e

Text SHA-256

0f9614f672c69b8b597a907f32f15fb0ea1cc88992477aa62bdb47ca7ebf5a73