Emergency Airworthiness Directive Issued for Specific Bell 505 Helicopters by FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency airworthiness directive, AD 2026-05-51, for certain Bell 505 helicopters to address a critical safety issue that could result in total loss of control if left unchecked. This directive comes in the wake of a similar emergency order issued by Transport Canada concerning the same safety concern.
This emergency AD is applicable to Model 505 helicopters with serial numbers 65011 and greater. These helicopters are equipped with aft movable ballast box assemblies (Part Numbers SLS-706-201-207 or -207FM). The issue at hand involves ballast weights that can exit their containment box and potentially strike the tail rotor assembly. This could lead to blade damage or departure, loss of tail rotor thrust, severe vibration, and loss of controllability.
The required corrective action is procedural rather than mechanical. Before further flight, operators must revise the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual to prohibit the use of ballast weights in the affected assemblies. Compliance can be achieved by inserting a copy of the airworthiness directive into the flight manual. This task can be performed by any owner or operator holding at least a private pilot certificate.
The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, the helicopter in question, is a popular five-seat light helicopter. It is widely used for training, corporate transport, law enforcement, and utility operations worldwide.
Source: Aero News