Emergency Airworthiness Directive for Bell 505 Helicopters Issued 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 could result in a total loss of control if not rectified. The directive was issued in March 2026, following closely on the heels of a similar emergency order from Transport Canada.
The safety concern involves deformation and improper pin engagement in the knuckles of the door hinge on the aft movable ballast box assembly. This fault could potentially allow ballast weights to escape the ballast box during flight, striking the tail rotor assembly. The resulting damage could include:
- Blade damage or departure
- Loss of tail rotor thrust
- Severe vibration
- Loss of aircraft controllability
The emergency directive applies to Bell Model 505 helicopters with serial numbers 65011 and greater that are equipped with aft movable ballast box assemblies. The required fix is procedural: 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. This directive can be implemented by inserting a copy of the AD into the flight manual, a task that can be completed by any owner or operator holding at least a private pilot certificate.
Under the US-Canada agreement, the FAA determined that the unsafe condition is likely to exist in other helicopters of the same type design operating in the United States. This prompted immediate emergency action to protect flight safety.
Source: Aero News