Emergency Safety Order Issued for Certain 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. This directive addresses a critical safety fault that, if left unchecked, could result in total loss of control. It specifically applies to Model 505 helicopters, serial numbers 65011 and subsequent, that are equipped with specific ballast box assemblies.
This emergency order follows a similar directive issued by Transport Canada just days earlier. The issue at hand involves potential plastic deformation and improper pin engagement in the knuckles of the door hinge on the aft movable ballast box assembly. This defect could potentially allow ballast weights to escape the box during flight and strike the tail rotor assembly. The resulting damage could lead to:
- Blade damage
- Loss of tail rotor thrust
- Severe vibration
- Loss of controllability
The required solution is procedural in nature. Operators must revise the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual to prohibit the use of ballast weights in the affected assemblies before further flight. Compliance can be achieved by inserting a copy of the AD into the flight manual. This task can be performed by any owner or operator holding at least a private pilot certificate.
The emergency AD was effective upon receipt for those who received actual notice. For others, the effective date was April 16, 2026. Bell has discovered the issue through post-flight inspections and is currently working on a permanent solution.
Source: Aero News