FAA · Airworthiness Directive
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-06- 51, which applied to certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 505 helicopters. AD 2025-06-51 required removing all ballast weights from the aft movable ballast box assembly and prohibited the use of ballast weights within the aft movable ballast box assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-06-51, Bell has developed a modification to the ballast box door assembly and the FAA has determined that the new actions would terminate the requirements of AD 2025-06-51. This AD requires installing the modification to the aft movable ballast box door assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Applicability
Aircraft makes and models this AD applies to, sorted by US-registered fleet size.
Federal Register text
Verbatim from the Federal Register publication — required actions, compliance times, parts/serial numbers, and methods of compliance. The Federal Register is the legally binding document; this rendering is for readability. Cite: 90 FR 49248.
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 5, 2025)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 49248-49251] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-19785]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3996; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01201-R; Amendment 39-23181; AD 2025-22-03] RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-06- 51, which applied to certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 505 helicopters. AD 2025-06-51 required removing all ballast weights from the aft movable ballast box assembly and prohibited the use of ballast weights within the aft movable ballast box assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-06-51, Bell has developed a modification to the ballast box door assembly and the FAA has determined that the new actions would terminate the requirements of AD 2025-06-51. This AD requires installing the modification to the aft movable ballast box door assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 20, 2025. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 20, 2025. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by December 22, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Fax: (202) 493-2251. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-3996; 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 street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: 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]. You may view this material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N- 321, 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-2025-3996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Ladendorf, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5254; email: [email protected].