2026-16-02: Tail rotor system

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: 2026-16-02 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-23432; Docket No. FAA-2026-3866; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01200-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 10, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34, dated July 3, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6400, Tail rotor system. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape in the production installation of a washer installed on the tail rotor pitch link assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect proper installation. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in fracture of the pitch horn stud due to fatigue or when the rotor blade exceeds the travel during certain control inputs and blade flapping angles and loss of directional control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements 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-2025-34. (h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 requires compliance in terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where paragraph (1) of Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 specifies "Perform a one-time inspection of the tail rotor pitch link assembly installation", this AD requires replacing that text with "Perform a one-time inspection of the tail rotor pitch link assembly installation and, if applicable, remove and reassemble the pitch link assembly and washer". (4) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-34 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (i) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed. (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 David Enns, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4147; email: david.enns@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-2025-34, dated July 3, 2025. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact 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) 222-5110. (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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on July 30, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-16043 Filed 8-5-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P