Federal Register #2026-23007

FAA directive requires recurring structural inspections and corrective work on Bell Model 429 helicopters

The Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive for certain Bell Model 429 helicopters to address potentially failed structural rivets. - Government buyer and issuer: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Compliance & Airworthiness Division. - OEM: Bell Textron Canada Limited manufactures the affected Model 429 helicopters. Transport Canada inspection procedures are incorporated by reference. - Required work: Conduct initial and repetitive visual and detailed inspections of rivets where the tail boom skin joins the tail rotor gearbox support assembly, including borescope and tactile inspections as required. - Measure gaps and, when findings require it, replace affected rivets or repair gaps using a method approved by the FAA, Transport Canada, or Bell Textron Canada Limited’s Transport Canada Design Approval Organization. - The directive supersedes AD 2022-20-11 and shortens the repetitive inspection interval. Failed rivets could weaken the joint, detach the gearbox support assembly, and cause loss of helicopter control. - The FAA estimates 147 U.S.-registered helicopters are affected. No purchased products, part numbers, or quantities are specified; reporting inspection results to the manufacturer is not required.

Description

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive 2022-20-11 for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. The directive requires inspections of the tail rotor gearbox support assembly and tail boom, with rivet replacement or gap repair as applicable. It reduces the repetitive inspection interval to address failed rivets that could compromise structural integrity, detach the assembly, and result in loss of helicopter control. The rule is effective December 17, 2026.

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