FAA · Airworthiness Directive
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 407 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fractured pilot cyclic stick tube and subsequent findings of other pilot cyclic stick tubes with fatigue cracking. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the pilot cyclic stick tube assembly for a crack and, depending on the results, repairing or replacing the pilot cyclic stick tube assembly. The FAA is proposing 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 51602.
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 18, 2025)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 51602-51605] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-20090]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3436; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00314-R] RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 407 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fractured pilot cyclic stick tube and subsequent findings of other pilot cyclic stick tubes with fatigue cracking. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the pilot cyclic stick tube assembly for a crack and, depending on the results, repairing or replacing the pilot cyclic stick tube assembly. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 2, 2026.
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-2025-3436; 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 NPRM, 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 proposed AD, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, Canada; phone: (888) 663-3639; email: [email protected]">tc.airworthinessdirectives-consignesdenavigabilite.[email protected]; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. You may find the Transport Canada 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7309; email: [email protected].