Airworthiness Directives; DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 555-558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00162]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-2265; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00714-A; 
Amendment 39-23224; AD 2025-26-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-06-11 
(AD 2007-06-11) for certain SOCATA (type certificate now held by DAHER 
AEROSPACE) Model TBM 700 airplanes. AD 2007-06-11 required repetitively 
inspecting the vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and bolts for 
cracks or corrosion, and, if necessary, repairing or replacing the 
damaged part and then applying a corrosion protection reinforcement. 
Since the FAA issued AD 2007-06-11, the European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union, superseded the previous Direction generale de 
l'aviation civile (DGAC) France AD to introduce new service information 
providing instructions for installing new vertical stabilizer 
attachment fittings having improved corrosion resistant material as an 
optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD 
retains the requirements of AD 2007-06-11 and includes a new optional 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 12, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 12, 
2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference

[[Page 556]]

of certain other publications listed in this AD as of April 20, 2007 
(72 FR 12546, dated March 16, 2007).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2265; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For DAHER AEROSPACE and EADS SOCATA material identified in 
this AD, contact DAHER AEROSPACE, Customer Support, Airplane Division, 
65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; phone: 33 (0)5 62.41.73.00; email: 
daher.com">tbmcare@daher.com; website: daher.com.
    <bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2265.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (206) 231-3758; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2007-06-11, Amendment 39-14992 (AD 2007-06-
11, March 16, 2007) (AD 2007-06-11). AD 2007-06-11 applied to certain 
serial-numbered SOCATA (type certificate now held by DAHER AEROSPACE) 
Model TBM 700 airplanes. AD 2007-06-11 required repetitively inspecting 
the vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and bolts for cracks or 
corrosion, and, if necessary, repairing or replacing the damaged part 
and then applying a corrosion protection reinforcement. The FAA issued 
AD 2007-06-11 to detect and address cracks on the vertical stabilizer 
attachment fitting which, if not addressed, could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the vertical stabilizer.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2025 
(90 FR 41350). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2019-0070, dated March 
28, 2019 (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that cracks 
were found on a vertical stabilizer attachment fitting on a Model TBM 
700 airplane in service. Investigation results showed that these cracks 
were due to corrosion. This unsafe condition could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the vertical stabilizer.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the requirements of AD 
2007-06-11 and provide a new optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections by replacing each affected part with a new zero-
time vertical stabilizer attachment fitting made from improved 
corrosion resistant material.
    The NPRM stated the incorrect date of April 10, 2007, for the 
effective date of AD 2007-06-11. The correct effective date is April 
20, 2007. The FAA has corrected the date in paragraph (h)(1) of this 
final rule.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2265.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from eight anonymous commenters. The 
comments were unrelated to the subject matter of the NPRM.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Amendment 3, dated December 2007. This material 
specifies procedures for inspecting the vertical stabilizer attachment 
fittings for crack(s) and corrosion, repairing or replacing any damaged 
part, and applying corrosion protection reinforcement on the attachment 
fittings.
    The FAA also reviewed DAHER Aerospace TBM Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Revision 4, dated December 2018. This 
material specifies procedures for inspecting the vertical stabilizer 
attachment fittings for crack(s) and corrosion, repairing or replacing 
any damaged part, and applying corrosion protection on the attachment 
fittings.
    In addition, the FAA reviewed DAHER AEROSPACE TBM Aircraft 
Recommended Service Bulletin SB 70-255, dated December 2018. This 
material specifies procedures for modifying the vertical stabilizer and 
fuselage by installing new front and rear fittings.
    This AD also requires EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Amendment 1, dated August 2004, and EADS SOCATA 
TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Amendment 2, 
dated January 2007, which the Director of the Federal Register approved 
for incorporation by reference as of April 20, 2007 (72 FR 12546, dated 
March 16, 2007).
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 309 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost    Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect vertical stabilizer        4 work-hours x $85             $0  $340 (per inspection  $105,060 (per
 attachment fittings.               per hour = $340                    cycle).               inspection cycle).
                                    (per inspection
                                    cycle).
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[[Page 557]]

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspections. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that might need these replacements.
    Either the replacement of the vertical stabilizer attachment 
fittings or the installation of improved design vertical stabilizer 
attachment fittings, as presented below, can be done if required based 
any inspection in this AD. If the improved design fittings are 
installed, then the repetitive inspections are terminated.

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Cost per
            Action                Labor cost     Parts cost    product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace vertical stabilizer    10 work-hours x       $5,000       $5,850
 attachment fittings.           $85 per hour =
                                $850.
Install (new) design vertical  10 work-hours x        5,000        5,850
 stabilizer attachment          $85 per hour =
 fittings (optional             $850.
 terminating action).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has no way of determining the costs pertaining to necessary 
repairs that would be required in accordance with a method approved by 
the FAA, EASA, or Daher's EASA Designated Organization Approval.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA has determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive AD 2007-06-11, Amendment 39-14992 
(72 FR 12546, March 16, 2007); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2025-26-02 DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate previously held by 
SOCATA): Amendment 39-23224; Docket No. FAA-2025-2265; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2024-00714-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 12, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2007-06-11, Amendment 39-14992 (72 FR 12546, 
March 16, 2007) (AD 2007-06-11).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DAHER AEROSPACE (type certificate previously 
held by SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 
001 through 308 and 310, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5530, Vertical 
Stabilizer Structure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks due to corrosion on a 
vertical stabilizer attachment fitting. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to detect and address cracks on the vertical stabilizer attachment 
fitting. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the vertical stabilizer.

(f) Definitions

    For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:
    (1) Affected Part: Vertical stabilizer attachment fitting having 
part number (P/N) T700A5530072101, T700A5530073000, T700A5340023100, 
T700A5340052100, or T700A5530072100.
    (2) New Part: A new zero-time vertical stabilizer attachment 
fitting having P/N T700A553007300151, T700A553007210251, 
T700A534009810000, or T700A534009910000.

(g) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(h) Retained Actions From AD 2007-06-11 With Reference to New Service 
Bulletins and Before Further Flight Compliance Time Added to Corrective 
Action

    (1) Within the next 600 hours time-in-service (TIS) or the next 
12 months, whichever occurs first after April 20, 2007 (the 
effective date of AD 2007-06-11), inspect the affected part as 
defined in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, and the affected part bolts, 
for cracks or corrosion, and, if necessary, before further flight, 
repair or replace the damaged affected part and then apply a 
corrosion protection reinforcement, in accordance with EADS SOCATA 
TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Amendment 1, 
dated August 2004; EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Amendment 2, dated January 2007; EADS SOCATA 
TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Amendment 3, 
dated December 2007; or DAHER Aerospace TBM Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Revision 4, dated December 2018. 
Where the material above states to send the damaged parts to Socata 
and send photos or drawings if exfoliation is detected, this AD does 
not require these actions.
    (2) Repeat the actions required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD 
at intervals not to exceed 1,200 hour TIS or 24 months, whichever 
occurs first, in accordance with EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-
104,

[[Page 558]]

Amendment 1, dated August 2004; EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 70-104, Amendment 2, dated January 2007; EADS 
SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 70-104, 
Amendment 3, dated December 2007; or DAHER Aerospace TBM Aircraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 70-104, Revision 4, dated December 
2018.

(i) New Optional Terminating Action

    Modification of an airplane by replacing each affected part as 
defined in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD with a new part as defined in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, in accordance with paragraphs A. and B. 
of the Description of Accomplishment Instructions in DAHER AEROSPACE 
TBM Aircraft Recommended Service Bulletin SB 70-255, dated December 
2018, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive detailed 
inspections required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD for that 
airplane.
    Note 1 to paragraph (i): European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
AD 2019-0070, dated March 28, 2019, refers to this new part as a 
serviceable part and DAHER AEROSPACE TBM Aircraft Recommended 
Service Bulletin SB 70-255, dated December 2018, refers to this part 
as a new fitting.

(j) Installation Prohibition

    After modification of an airplane as specified in paragraph (i) 
of this AD, do not install on that airplane an affected part or a 
vertical stabilizer equipped with an affected part.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send 
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of 
this AD and email to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, 
notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local Flight Standards District 
Office/certificate holding district office.

(l) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3758; email: 
[email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on February 12, 
2026.
    (i) EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 
70-104, Amendment 3, dated December 2007.
    (ii) DAHER AEROSPACE TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
SB 70-104, Revision 4, dated December 2018.
    (iii) DAHER AEROSPACE TBM Aircraft Recommended Service Bulletin 
SB 70-255, dated December 2018.
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on April 20, 
2007 (72 FR 12546, dated March 16, 2007).
    (i) EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 
70-104, Amendment 1, dated August 2004.
    (ii) EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 
70-104, Amendment 2, dated January 2007.
    (5) For DAHER AEROSPACE and EADS SOCATA material identified in 
this AD, contact DAHER AEROSPACE, Customer Support, Airplane 
Division, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; phone: 33 (0)5 62.41.73.00; 
email: daher.com">tbmcare@daher.com; website: daher.com.
    (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (7) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on January 6, 2026.
Paul R. Bernado,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-00162 Filed 1-7-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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