Federal Register #FAA-2026-3477

FAA Proposed Airworthiness Directive for Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 Helicopters

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) Model 505 helicopters to address safety concerns related to the vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation - OEMs and Vendors: - Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) is the primary OEM - Transport Canada is referenced as the aviation authority for compliance - Products/Services Requested: - Inspection and replacement of the vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly on Bell 505 helicopters - Existing part: Vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly (P/N SLS030701125) - Improved replacement part: Machined top end cap assembly (P/N SLS704701101) - New production part: One-piece vertical stabilizer machined top end cap assembly (P/N SLS030701149) - Services include initial and recurring inspections for cracks and corrective action if cracks are found - Replacement of the top end cap assembly with the improved design terminates the recurring inspection requirement - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-32 is required, with specific exceptions for certain serial numbers - The directive supersedes a previous AD (2024-02-55) and applies to approximately 150 helicopters in the U.S. registry - FAA estimates compliance costs for inspections and replacement - Locations: - FAA offices in Westbury, NY and Fort Worth, TX - Docket Operations in Washington, DC - Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification in Nepean, Ontario, Canada

Description

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-02-55 for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. The current AD requires inspections of the vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly and corrective action if cracks are found. Since then, a new one-piece vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly has been introduced in production, and a new replacement part has been designed. The proposed AD would continue inspection requirements but exclude helicopters with the improved design installed at production and require replacement with the improved assembly, which terminates recurring inspections. This action addresses an unsafe condition that could lead to loss of directional control.

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