[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 224 (Monday, November 24, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52897-52899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20751]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-5030; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00322-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 Model 429 helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed lockwire
on the stability and control augmentation system (SCAS) actuator jam
nut. This proposed AD would require inspecting the installation of the
lockwire on the SCAS actuator jam nut and, if the lockwire is
incorrectly installed, removing the lockwire and installing a new
lockwire correctly. This proposed AD would also prohibit the
installation of an affected SCAS actuator assembly unless certain
requirements are met. 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 8, 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-2025-5030; 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 AD,
contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft
Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, Canada;
phone: (888) 663-3639; email: [email protected]; website: 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: Kim-Anh Tran, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (316) 946-4190; email: [email protected].
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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-5030;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00322-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 Kim-
Anh Tran, 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-2025-16, dated March 17, 2025 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2025-16) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition on Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters,
serial numbers 57001 and subsequent, with SCAS actuator part numbers
(P/N) 429-001-065-107, 429-001-065-109, or 429-001-065-111 installed.
The MCAI states that there have been several reports of incorrectly
installed lockwire on the SCAS actuator jam nut. The MCAI further
states that the incorrect installation of the lockwire could allow the
actuator jam nut to loosen. This condition, if not addressed, could
lead to the SCAS actuator rotating on the axis of the tube, interfering
with the adjacent structure and limiting or completely jamming control
movement, resulting in partial or complete loss of control of the
helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-5030.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16, dated March 17,
2025, which specifies procedures for a one-time inspection of the
lockwire installation of the jam nuts of the cyclic longitudinal,
cyclic lateral, and directional SCAS actuators and, if the lockwire is
improperly installed, removal of the lockwire and installation of a new
lockwire in the correct direction. Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16 also
prohibits the installation of an affected SCAS actuator assembly unless
certain requirements are met. This material is reasonably available
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal
course
[[Page 52898]]
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 and material 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 the material already described.
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-2025-16 by reference in the FAA final rule. This
proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with Transport Canada
AD CF-2025-16 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-2025-16 for
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2025-5030 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 101 helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect lockwire......................... 1.5 work-hour x $85 per $0 $128 $12,928
hour = $128.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 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:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Replace lockwire............................. .5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $43
$43.
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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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Bell Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2025-5030; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-00322-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 8, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in
Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16, dated March 17, 2025 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2025-16).
[[Page 52899]]
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6700, Rotorcraft
Flight Control.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed
lockwire on the stability and control augmentation system (SCAS)
actuator jam nut. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
incorrect installation of the lockwire. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could allow the SCAS actuator jam nut to loosen, which
could lead to the SCAS actuator rotating on the axis of the tube,
interfering with the adjacent structure and limiting or completely
jamming control movement, resulting in partial or complete 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 paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16.
(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16 requires compliance in
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(i) 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 (j) of
this AD and email to: [email protected].
(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.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kim-Anh Tran,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4190; email: [email protected].
(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-2025-16, dated March 17, 2025.
(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: [email protected]. 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, 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.
(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 [email protected].
Issued on November 20, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-20751 Filed 11-21-25; 8:45 am]
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