SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed under ADDRESSES . Include “Docket No. FAA-2026-7227; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01754-R” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Soban Saeed, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA issued AD 2022-20-11, Amendment 39-22195 (87 FR 64152, October 24, 2022) (AD 2022-20-11), for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. AD 2022-20-11 was prompted by Transport Canada AD ( printed page 46323) CF-2021-15, dated April 14, 2021 (Transport Canada AD CF-2021-15), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada. Transport Canada issued Transport Canada AD CF-2021-15 to correct an unsafe condition identified as multiple in-service reports of failed rivets at the joint between the tail boom skin and the TR gearbox support assembly part number (P/N) 429-034-701-101 or P/N 429-035-705-101.

AD 2022-20-11 requires, for certain serial-numbered helicopters, an initial and repetitive visual inspection of the rivets at the TR gearbox support assembly for signs of any missing or separated rivet tails, any rivet tails resting at the bottom of the tail boom, and any rivet tails not resting against the tail boom skin. AD 2022-20-11 also requires measuring any gaps between the TR gearbox support assembly and the tailboom skin.

The FAA issued AD 2022-20-11 to detect failed rivets and rivets with inadequate grip length. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in deterioration of the joint structural integrity, detachment of the TR gearbox support assembly, and loss of helicopter control.

Actions Since AD 2022-20-11 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 2022-20-11, Transport Canada superseded Transport Canada AD CF-2021-15 and issued Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1, dated January 28, 2026 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that, following reports of numerous failed rivets that were found within the repetitive inspection interval, the manufacturer determined the frequency of repetitive inspections needs to be increased until a terminating action is introduced.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7227.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1, which specifies procedures for an initial and repetitive general visual inspections and detailed inspections of the affected rivets at the joint between the tailboom skin and the TR gearbox support assembly.

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.

FAA's Determination

These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority (CAA) 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 is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. See “Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI, and the Referenced Material” for a discussion of the general differences included in this proposed AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD, the MCAI, and the Referenced Material

Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1, specifies to obtain an approved Bell structural repair scheme to repair any gaps, this proposed AD requires repairing those gaps in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Bell Textron Canada Limited's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO).

Interim Action

The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action. If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Material required by Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7227 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 147 helicopters of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

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

( printed page 46324)

The FAA has no way to determine the cost estimate of repairing a gap using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; Transport Canada; or Bell Textron Canada Limited's Transport Canada DAO.

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

The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-20-11, Amendment 39-22195 ( 87 FR 64152, October 24, 2022); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Bell Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2026-7227; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01754-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by September 8, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces AD 2022-20-11, Amendment 39-22195 (87 FR 64152, October 24, 2022).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1, dated January 28, 2026 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of failed rivets between the tail boom skin and the tail rotor (TR) gearbox support assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct failed rivets and rivets with inadequate grip length. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in deterioration of the joint structural integrity, detachment of the TR gearbox support assembly 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1

(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 requires compliance in terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.

(3) Where paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of Part II of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 specifies “since the last inspection in accordance with Part I or Part II of AD CF-2021-15 or Part I of this AD”, for this AD replace that text with “since the last inspection in accordance with Part I of this AD”.

(4) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 specifies “tactile check”, this AD requires replacing that text with “tactile inspection”.

(5) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 specifies to submit a structural repair request, this AD requires repairing any gaps and replace rivets in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Bell Textron Canada Limited's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-60R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(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: AMOC@faa.gov.

(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 Soban Saeed, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4123; email: soban.saeed@faa.gov.

(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-2025-60R1, dated January 28, 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: TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca. You may view this material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. ( printed page 46325)

(4) You may view this material at 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov.

91 FR 46322