# 2026-19345: FAA to Bell Helicopter Owners: Check Those Sliding Doors, Folks!

2026-19345, Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-09-22, effective The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by November 6, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-29).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19345
- As of: 2026-09-29
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-19345
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 60026
- Published: 2026-09-22
- Effective: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by November 6, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-11-06
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-09-29

## In one line

FAA to Bell Helicopter Owners: Check Those Sliding Doors, Folks!

## Summary

If you own or operate Bell Textron Canada Model 429 helicopters, heads up! The FAA wants you to check the sliding door’s lower roller parts for damage and fix any issues to stop doors from jamming. You’ll also need to update the roller setup soon, with comments on this rule due by November 6, 2026. This keeps your chopper safe without breaking the bank.

## Abstract

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of the sliding doors jamming when opened from the inside of the helicopter, due to the aft lower roller assembly disengaging from the aft lower rail. This proposed AD would require inspecting the lower aft bracket and rail cavity for contact marks and, depending on the findings, performing applicable corrective actions. This proposed AD would also require modifying the roller assembly configuration. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mandatory door-roller inspection: cost, low. If you own or operate a Bell Textron Canada Model 429 helicopter, the FAA would require you to inspect the sliding door lower aft bracket and rail cavity for contact marks following Transport Canada AD CF-2025-64. The FAA estimates the inspection takes 1 work-hour at $85 per helicopter, would affec…
- Required roller assembly modification: cost, high. The proposed AD would require modifying the roller assembly configuration on affected Model 429 helicopters. The FAA estimates the modification needs about 8 work-hours (labor cost $680) per helicopter and estimates a total U.S. operators' cost of up to $102,000 for the 150 affected helicopters.
- Potential repair or part-replacement costs: cost, medium. If inspections find contact marks or other conditions, you may need to repair or replace affected parts; the FAA says those repair costs could vary significantly by helicopter. The FAA also notes some costs may be covered under warranty, but it cannot determine the total repair cost or how many hel…

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## Sources
- [2026-19345 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/22/2026-19345/airworthiness-directives-bell-textron-canada-limited-helicopters)
- [2026-19345 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-22/pdf/2026-19345.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-19343, Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19343)
- [Next: 2026-19346, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19346)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19345 (as of 2026-09-29).