2026-05549RuleWallet

Bell Helicopter Owners: Check Those Lockwires or Risk a Spin

Published Date: 3/20/2026

Rule

Summary

If you own or operate Bell Model 429 helicopters, listen up! The FAA found some lockwires on a key control part might be installed wrong, which could be unsafe. Starting April 24, 2026, you’ll need to inspect and fix these lockwires if needed, and follow new rules before installing certain parts—so plan for some checks and possible repairs soon.

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Mandatory SCAS Lockwire Inspection

If you own or operate Bell Model 429 helicopters (serial numbers 57001 and subsequent) with SCAS actuator P/N 429-001-065-107, -109, or -111, you must inspect the lockwire installation on the SCAS actuator jam nut starting April 24, 2026. The FAA estimates the inspection takes 1.5 work-hours at $85/hour = $128 per helicopter and estimates 101 U.S.-registered helicopters are affected (total estimated cost $12,928).

Required Lockwire Replacement If Wrong

If the inspection finds the lockwire is incorrectly installed on the SCAS actuator jam nut, you must remove the incorrect lockwire and install a new lockwire correctly in the required direction per Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16. The FAA estimates the on-condition repair takes 0.5 work-hours at $85/hour = $43 per helicopter for the corrective action.

Installation of Affected Actuators Prohibited

Starting April 24, 2026, the AD prohibits installing an affected SCAS actuator assembly (for the specified P/Ns) unless certain requirements specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-16 are met. Operators and maintainers must follow those requirements before installing the affected assemblies.

Special Flight Permits Prohibited

The AD explicitly prohibits special flight permits for affected helicopters as of April 24, 2026, so operators cannot use special flight permits to operate affected helicopters pending compliance with this AD.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this regulation affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Key Dates

Published Date
Rule Effective
3/20/2026
4/24/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Transportation Department
Federal Aviation Administration
Source: View HTML

Related Federal Register Documents

Previous / Next Documents

Back to Federal Register

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in