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-2026-8798; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01771-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 this 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 Zakaria Abdi, 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

Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62, dated November 28, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. The MCAI states that the manufacturer identified a quality escape affecting tailcone assemblies having part number (P/N) SLS-030-600-XYZ and with certain serial numbers as identified in the service material. The MCAI further states that gaps were found between the frames and skin of the tailcone assembly, and elongated holes have been observed in multiple joints of the tailboom. The MCAI also states that these discrepancies may lead to the initiation of a crack in a non-inspectable area of the tailboom skin, which can propagate circumferentially and remain undetected until it reaches a critical length. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in a tailboom skin fracture, separation of the tailboom from the fuselage, and loss of control of the helicopter.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-8798.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62, which specifies procedures for replacing a tailcone assembly before exceeding the airworthiness life limit. Transport Canada also specifies procedures for inspecting the tailcone assembly for gaps and if there are gaps greater than 0.003 inch (0.076 mm), inspecting the tailboom skin. Depending on those inspection results, Transport Canada specifies procedures to contact Bell for corrective actions. Additionally, Transport Canada specifies procedures to repetitively inspect the tailcone assembly for loose, damaged, or missing fasteners, and, depending on the results of the inspection, contacting Bell for corrective actions.

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-2025-62 described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. See “Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI” for a discussion of these differences.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

The MCAI requires contacting Bell product support engineering for applicable repair instructions, whereas this proposed AD would require repairing using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; Transport Canada; or Bell Textron Canada Limited's Transport Canada Design Organization Approval (DOA).

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 ( printed page 57518) 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-2025-62 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 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-2025-62 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-8798 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 190 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 replacements or 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 replacements or repairs.

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

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 this 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Bell Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2026-8798; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01771-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by October 26, 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-2025-62, dated November 28, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by the identification of a manufacturing quality escape affecting certain tailcone assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct crack initiation in the tailboom skin. The unsafe condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in a tailboom skin fracture, separation of the tailboom from the fuselage, and loss of control of the helicopter. ( printed page 57519)

(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-2025-62.

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62

(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 requires compliance in terms of hours air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.

(3) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 specifies to contact Bell Product Support Engineering (PSE) for repair or disposition, this AD requires corrective action 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 Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(4) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 specifies “check”, this AD requires replacing that text with “inspect”.

(5) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 specifies damage, for the purposes of this AD, damage can be indicated by, but not limited to, excessive wear marks, or yielding to the fastener head.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 specifies submitting certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that action.

(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 Zakaria Abdi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4141; email: zakaria.f.abdi@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-2025-62, dated November 28, 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 TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca. 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov.

91 FR 57516