# Proposed AD FAA-2013-0574: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Helicopters

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2014-04-07
- Products: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: July 12, 2013, 78 FR 41877
- Comments due: September 10, 2013
- Became: [AD 2014-04-07](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2014-04-07)
- Docket: FAA-2013-0574 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2013-0574, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2008-SW-22-AD
- FR document: 2013-16727
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/1e/30/1e300de69b52799e623da233fa117e807cc84795a820c1f3e37e1d7a80709b24 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2013-07-12/pdf/2013-16727.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/07/12/2013-16727/airworthiness-directives-bell-helicopter-textron-canada-bell-helicopters
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/4A4EDCF47AD45CCD86257BA600633C90.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2013-0574

## Summary

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the Bell Model 407 helicopters. The existing AD currently requires preflight checking and repetitively inspecting for a crack in certain tailbooms that have been redesigned, replacing the tailboom if there is a crack, modifying and re-identifying certain tailbooms, installing an improved horizontal stabilizer assembly, and assigning a 5,000 hour time-in-service (TIS) limit. Since we issued that AD, we have received several additional reports of cracked tailboom skins. This proposed AD would retain the existing requirements and apply additional inspection requirements. The proposed actions are intended to prevent separation of the tailboom and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

## Notices in this docket

- Jul 12, 2013: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2013-16727, comments due Sep 10, 2013 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/07/12/2013-16727/airworthiness-directives-bell-helicopter-textron-canada-bell-helicopters)

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