The Federal Aviation Administration has published a final rule mandating specific actions for operators of Bell Textron Canada Limited helicopters. The directive, identified as AD 2026-13-12, becomes effective on August 11, 2026. This action amends the existing airworthiness standards under Amendment 39-23395 and is codified in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 39.
The document, published in the Federal Register on July 7, 2026, addresses findings from the aviation authority of Canada, which serves as the Continuing Product Management Authority for these aircraft. The rule was developed in response to a mandatory continuing airworthiness information report, designated MCAI-2025-01366-R, which highlighted safety concerns requiring immediate attention within the United States fleet.
Prior to this final rule, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on April 7, 2026. That earlier document outlined the proposed requirements and invited public comment. The current final rule incorporates the necessary adjustments based on the review process, though specific details regarding public comments were not included in the published text. The agency determined that the proposed measures were necessary to correct an unsafe condition that could affect flight safety.
The directive applies to specific Bell Textron Canada Limited helicopter models. Operators are required to perform detailed inspections and any applicable corrective actions within specified compliance times. The rule mandates that these maintenance tasks be completed by authorized personnel to ensure the aircraft meet current airworthiness standards. Failure to comply with the directive could result in the grounding of affected aircraft until the required work is verified.
The FAA emphasizes that this action is intended to prevent potential structural failures or operational limitations that could arise from the identified issues. By enforcing these inspections, the agency aims to maintain the integrity of the helicopter fleet and ensure passenger and crew safety. Operators must update their maintenance logs to reflect the completion of these new requirements.
