[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29888-29890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10167]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0736; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00698-R;
Amendment 39-23344; AD 2026-10-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) Model 407 helicopters. This
AD was prompted by a determination that chafing can occur at various
locations on the electrical harnesses located in the aircraft
instrument panel area. This AD requires a one-time detailed visual
inspection of the electrical harnesses for chafing and corrective
actions if necessary. This AD also requires rotation of the backshell
cast housing of connectors of the lower engine airframe unit and
installation of a wire harness bracket and support, and for certain
helicopters, installation of a wire bundle sleeve. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 25, 2026
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 25,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0736; 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
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
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 find the Transport Canada
material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
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) 222-5118. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-0736.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Williams, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (316) 946-4134; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain BTCL Model 407
helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February
3, 2026 (91 FR 4857). The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-22, dated April 23, 2025, (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22) (also
referred to as the MCAI), issued by Transport Canada, which is the
aviation authority for Canada. The MCAI states that chafing could occur
between the primary flight display/multi-function display harnesses and
the cable harness protection system rack and could also occur between
the electrical harnesses and the shroud behind the instrument panel
area. This condition, if not addressed, could result in smoke or fire
in the cockpit and loss of control of the helicopter.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time detailed visual
inspection of the electrical harnesses for chafing and corrective
actions if necessary. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to require
rotation of the backshell cast housing of connectors of the lower
engine airframe unit and installation of a wire harness bracket and
support, and for certain helicopters, installation of a wire bundle
sleeve.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0736.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
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 reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22, which specifies
procedures for performing a detailed visual inspection of the
electrical harnesses located behind the instrument panel for chafing
and, depending on the inspection results, repairing damaged parts
(chafed electrical harnesses) and performing further inspections;
rotating the backshell cast housing; and installing the wire harness
bracket and support. This material also specifies procedures for
installing a sleeve to cover the wire bundle for certain helicopters
without a sleeve installed on the wire bundle.
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 333 helicopters of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 29889]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect electrical harness......... 8 work-hours x $85 per $0 $680 $226,440.
hour = $680.
Install wire bundle sleeve......... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour 0 85 Up to $28,305.
= $85.
Rotate backshell cast housing...... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour 0 85 Up to $28,305.
= $85.
Secure wire harness and install 1 work-hour x $85 per hour 100 185 $61,605.
bracket and support. = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following cost to do any repair that would be
required based on the results of the inspection. The agency has no way
of determining the number of helicopters that might need this repair:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Repair wire bundle........... 1 work-hour x $0 $85
$85 per hour =
$85.
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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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:
2026-10-04 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-23344; Docket
No. FAA-2026-0736; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00698-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 25, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 407
helicopters, serial numbers 54300 through 54752, 54805 through
54999, and 56300 through 56366 and 56368, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 1420, Electrical
connectors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that chafing can occur
at various locations on the electrical harnesses located in the
aircraft instrument panel area. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect
and address chafing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in smoke or fire in the cockpit 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 paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22, dated April 23,
2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22).
(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-22 requires compliance in
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2025-22 specifies ``grounding screw heads should face on the left-
hand side'' or ``grounding screw heads should face left-hand side'',
this AD requires replacing that text with ``grounding screw heads
must face on the left-hand side''.
(i) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(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: [email protected].
[[Page 29890]]
(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 Matthew Williams,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4134; 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-2025-22, dated April 23, 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 find 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) 222-5118.
(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 May 7, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10167 Filed 5-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P