Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23181 · Equipment/furnishings
Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-35, dated July 4, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-35).
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-06- 51, which applied to certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 505 helicopters. AD 2025-06-51 required removing all ballast weights from the aft movable ballast box assembly and prohibited the use of ballast weights within the aft movable ballast box assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-06-51, Bell has developed a modification to the ballast box door assembly and the FAA has determined that the new actions would terminate the requirements of AD 2025-06-51. This AD requires installing the modification to the aft movable ballast box door assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-35.
(2) For this AD, the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter by inserting the applicable flight manual supplement into the RFM and must enter compliance into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-35 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-35 refers to air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
