2026-10-04: Electrical connectors

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: 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: 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 Matthew Williams, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4134; email: matthew.t.williams@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-2025-22, 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: TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca. 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. 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