Rotors Flight Control – Reduced AFT Cyclic Stick Margin - Replacement
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Bell 429 helicopters must replace the cyclic stick stop assembly with the new approved part within 90 days of the directive's effective date, November 10, 2026, unless already accomplished. The replacement must follow Bell's Alert Service Bulletin 429-26-72 dated February 18, 2026, or later approved revisions. Contact Transport Canada for further guidance if needed.
Summary
The Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2026-56 titled 'Rotors Flight Control – Reduced AFT Cyclic Stick Margin - Replacement' applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters with specified serial numbers. It addresses a safety concern involving the main rotor blade contacting the tail rotor drive shaft cover during certain flight maneuvers. This directive mandates modifications to the cyclic stick stop assembly to reduce the aft cyclic stick margin.
What changed
This new directive introduces a requirement to replace the existing cyclic stick stop assembly part number 429-001-357-101 with a new part number 429-001-357-103. The change limits the aft cyclic stick movement to reduce the risk of rotor-to-airframe contact during hover maneuvers. The flight envelope of the aircraft remains unchanged.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent potential loss of tail rotor thrust caused by rotor contact with the airframe. Compliance ensures continued safe operation of affected Bell 429 helicopters and helps avoid incidents related to flight control inputs during hover. It also provides clear instructions for maintenance teams to implement the safety modification promptly.
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