AD 2024-02-55: Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

What the FAA requires

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked vertical stabilizer top end cap assemblies. This AD requires an initial and recurring inspections of the vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly and corrective action if a crack is found, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Read the full directive on the Federal Register →

Applicability

This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2024-03, dated January 25, 2024 (Transport Canada AD CF-2024-03). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 5532 Vertical stabilizer, plates/skin. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by multiple occurrences of the vertical stabilizer top end cap assembly being found cracked, with some cases including the departure of the navigation/very high frequency omni-directional range (VOR)/glide slope antenna and tuning weight from the helicopter during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect cracking on the vertical stabilizer

Part numbers this directive names

This directive does not name specific part numbers in its text; it applies by aircraft model. See the applicability above and the manufacturer's service bulletin it references.