U.S. FAA Issues Emergency Safety Directive for Bell Helicopters

About 400 Bell helicopters would have to receive emergency inspections before flying after Canadian and U.S. investigators discovered a possible flaw while probing a fatal June 28 crash.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday issued a rare emergency airworthiness directive ordering the inspections. The action followed a similar order by Transport Canada on Monday after the crash in that country.

The order applies to about 140 helicopters registered in the U.S., the FAA said.

The order resulted from the failure of a pin that helps hold in place the main rotor that lifts the helicopter, Canada said. It applies ...