FAA Wants Tighter Bolts on Bell 407 Helicopter Tails
Published Date: 7/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly Bell Model 407 helicopters, listen up! The FAA wants you to check your tailboom bolts more often, tighten them right, and swap out any worn parts to keep things safe. Plus, you’ll need to update your maintenance manual with new bolt life limits—all to stop bolts from breaking and keep your chopper flying strong. Comments on this plan are open until August 31, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
New repetitive inspections and fixes
If you operate a Bell Model 407 helicopter, the FAA proposes required repetitive inspections of the tailboom attachment structure, required torque inspections, and required replacement of attachment hardware when problems are found. The rule also makes a detailed inspection of the tail boom assembly and aft fuselage a terminating action to the repetitive inspections. The FAA says the proposal would affect 950 U.S.-registered helicopters and estimates a per-inspection labor cost of $170 (2 work-hours × $85/hour).
Potential repair and parts costs if defects found
If inspections find damage, the FAA lists on-condition replacement cost estimates: replacing hardware (labor 2 work-hours × $85/hour = $170; parts $340), replacing the aft fuselage bulkhead (12 work-hours × $85/hour = $1,020; parts $2,106), replacing aft fuselage upper longerons (35 work-hours × $85/hour = $2,975; parts $17,862), and replacing aft fuselage lower longerons (24 work-hours × $85/hour = $2,040; parts $8,397). The FAA says it cannot determine how many helicopters will need these repairs.
Ban on installing two longeron part numbers
The proposal prohibits installing upper-left longeron assembly part number 206-031-314-237B or part number 206-031-314-237S on any helicopter. If you maintain or repair affected Model 407 helicopters, you must not install those specific part numbers.
New life limit in maintenance manual
You must revise the helicopter maintenance manual's airworthiness limitations section (ALS) to incorporate a new life limit for the tail boom attachment bolts by adding Table 1 of the applicable ALS. The FAA estimates one work-hour to revise the ALS at $85 per helicopter, totaling $85 per product and $80,750 across the 950 U.S. helicopters.
Mechanic qualification for torque inspections
The proposed AD replaces 'torque checks' with 'torque inspections' to require that those actions be done by a mechanic who meets the requirements of 14 CFR part 65 subpart D. If you perform torque inspections, they must be done by a mechanic with the specified certification.
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