Bell Choppers Face Tailcone Fastener Inspection Mandate
Published Date: 9/10/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a quality escape affecting certain tailcone assemblies. This proposed AD would require replacing any tailcone assembly that has exceeded a certain life limit. Also, this proposed AD would require inspecting the tailcone assembly for gaps, and repetitively inspecting the tailcone assembly for loose, damaged, or missing fasteners. Depending on the results of these inspections, this proposed AD would require conducting further inspections and corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory Tailcone Replacement When Life Limit Exceeded
The proposed AD would require replacing any tailcone assembly that has exceeded its airworthiness life limit. The FAA estimates replacing a tailcone costs 30 work-hours (30 x $85/hr = $2,550) plus $54,280 in parts, for a total estimated cost per replacement of $56,830.
Estimated U.S. Fleet Compliance Costs
The FAA estimates this AD would affect 190 U.S.-registered Bell Model 505 helicopters. Estimated costs to U.S. operators are $64,600 for the gap inspections (190 × $340), $48,450 for the fastener inspections (190 × $255), and a potential $10,797,700 if all 190 helicopters required a tailcone replacement (190 × $56,830).
Safety Benefit: Prevent Tailboom Separation
The AD aims to detect and correct crack initiation in the tailboom skin to prevent a tailboom skin fracture and possible separation from the fuselage, which could cause loss of control of the helicopter. The requirement to inspect and replace affected tailcone assemblies is intended to address that unsafe condition.
Required Tailcone Inspections and Checks
If you operate a Bell Model 505 helicopter on the U.S. registry, you must inspect the tailcone assembly for gaps and repetitively inspect for loose, damaged, or missing fasteners. The FAA estimates the initial gap inspection takes 4 work-hours (4 x $85/hr = $340) and the fastener inspection takes 3 work-hours (3 x $85/hr = $255); repetitive on-condition inspections are estimated at 1 work-hour ($85).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15585, Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems
In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 40002 of that law re-institutes the Federal Communications Commission's general auction authority and specifically directs the Commission to complete a system of competitive bidding for not less than 100 megahertz in the 3.98-4.2 gigahertz band (Upper C- band). This final rule supports the Federal Communications Commission's July 2026 Report and Order that makes 160 megahertz of the Upper C-band available for terrestrial wireless flexible use via a system of competitive bidding. To ensure safe, efficient, and reliable aviation operations in the presence of wireless signals in the C-band, the Federal Aviation Administration is issuing new regulations that require all radio altimeters to meet specific minimum performance requirements. These new radio altimeters must withstand interference from wireless signals in neighboring spectrum bands and continue to provide accurate altitude readings to both pilots and integrated aircraft safety systems. These regulations require all aircraft equipped with radio altimeters operating under part 121 and those aircraft with radio altimeters operating under part 129 with 30 or more passenger seats or a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds to comply with the minimum performance requirements by December 30, 2030, which is prior to the date the Federal Communications Commission authorizes the use of the Upper C-band for new wireless services, as stated in its Report and Order. All other aircraft equipped with radio altimeters that are required to comply with part 91, including aircraft operating under parts 125, 133, 135, 136, 137, 194, and all other aircraft operating under part 129 that are not subject to the initial deadline, must comply with the same minimum performance requirements on or before October 31, 2034.
2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight
The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.
2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period
The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.
2026-08943, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2026-18520, Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, FALCON 900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reported occurrences of seats sliding without passenger input. The cabin seat track locking mechanism was found to jam in isolated conditions during taxi, take-off, and landing (TTOL). This proposed AD would require modifying or replacing each affected seat. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected seats. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-18423, Airworthiness Directives; International Aero Engines AG Engines; Correction
The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE AG) Model V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2525- D5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2528-D5, V2530-A5, V2531-E5, and V2533-A5 engines. As published, paragraph (g) of the regulatory text contains a typographical error. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18424, Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission" or the "SEC") is proposing to rescind the political contribution rule under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), which prohibits investment advisers from providing investment advisory services for compensation to a government client for two years after an adviser or any covered associate of the adviser makes a contribution to certain categories of elected officials or candidates, among other prohibitions. In the more than fifteen years since the rule was adopted, implementation challenges associated with the political contribution rule have resulted in a range of significant unintended consequences, including compliance practices among some investment advisers that may have had the effect of restricting all political contributions by the investment advisers and their employees. Market participants also have stated that the political contribution rule is burdensome, complex, and both lacks clarity and creates a de facto strict liability standard. The Commission is of the view that other existing requirements of the Advisers Act and its associated rules, including prohibitions on fraud, fiduciary duty requirements, the compliance rule, and the code of ethics rule (defined below), are likely sufficient to address pay-to-play practices while allowing an adviser the flexibility to implement an approach that is more appropriately tailored to its particular risks, rendering the political contribution rule unnecessary. The Commission also is proposing to amend the rule under the Advisers Act pertaining to books and records consistent with the proposed rescission.
Next: 2026-18469, Green Innovation GmbH; Withdrawal of Food Additive Petition (Animal Use)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing the withdrawal, without prejudice to a future filing, of a food additive petition (FAP 2323) proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of hydrolyzed lignin as a source of neutral detergent soluble fiber in food for broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, growing swine, sows, lactating dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, goats, salmonids, and adult dogs at no more than 1% of the food on a weight basis or 10 kilograms per metric ton of food.