Emergency Airworthiness Directive Issued by FAA for Bell 505 Helicopters Due to Safety Concerns
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 a total loss of control. The directive was issued in March 2026 and has since been widely reported. This action followed closely on the heels of an emergency order issued by Transport Canada.
The emergency AD addresses a failure in the hinge assembly on the aft movable ballast box assembly. This failure could potentially allow ballast weights to escape and strike the tail rotor assembly, leading to catastrophic consequences. The directive specifically applies to Bell Model 505 helicopters with serial numbers 65011 and subsequent. These helicopters are equipped with specific ballast box assembly part numbers SLS-706-201-207 or SLS-706-201-207FM.
The FAA has mandated an immediate revision of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) Limitations section. This revision is to prohibit the use of ballast weights within the aft movable ballast box assembly. Transport Canada’s emergency order, issued on March 3, 2026, discovered possible plastic deformation and improper pin engagement in the knuckles of the door hinge.
The Bell 505 is a light single-engine helicopter featuring dual-channel FADEC and Garmin G1000H avionics. It is used globally for training, law enforcement, and commercial operations. The emergency AD became effective on April 16, 2026.
Source: Aero News