Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5283-5285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02415]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-5037; Project Identifier AD-2025-00212-A; 
Amendment 39-23255; AD 2026-03-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation, Inc. (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Textron Aviation, Inc., Model 525B airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
the manufacturer's revision of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) to 
introduce more restrictive inspection intervals. This AD requires 
revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the existing 
AMM or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing 
approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 13, 2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5037; 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, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Soban Saeed, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1801 South Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4123; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Textron Aviation, 
Inc., Model 525B airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on November 28, 2025 (90 FR 54599). The NPRM was prompted by 
notification to the FAA by Textron Aviation that the existing Model 
525B AMM contained incorrect inspection intervals for airworthiness 
limitation tasks for Chapter 54--Nacelle/Pylons and Chapter 55--
Stabilizers. The incorrect inspection intervals were introduced during 
a technical manual update. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 
revising the ALS of the existing AMM or ICA and the existing approved 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to prevent undetected cracks in the engine mount and vertical 
stabilizer front and rear spar caps. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity and

[[Page 5284]]

consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Capital City Jet Center. The 
commenter had no objection to the NPRM.

Conclusion

    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 
conditions on these products. Except for minor editorial corrections, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 601 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $51,085
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2026-03-06 Textron Aviation, Inc.: Amendment 39-23255; Docket No. 
FAA-2025-5037; Project Identifier AD-2025-00212-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 13, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Textron Aviation, Inc. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 525B airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5530, Vertical 
Stabilizer Structure; 5415, Nacelle/Pylon, Attach Fittings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's revision of the 
aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) to introduce more restrictive 
inspection intervals. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
undetected cracks in the engine mount and vertical stabilizer front 
and rear spar caps. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in reduced structural integrity and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Revision

    Within 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Revise the ALS of 
the existing AMM or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) 
and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, by incorporating the information identified in table 1 
to paragraph (g) of this AD.

                   Table 1 to paragraph (g)--Revised Model 525B Airworthiness Limitation Tasks
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Existing task     Revised task        Inspection
       Task No.           Task title         interval          interval           document            Zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54-50-00-250.........  Forward Engine    6,000 hours TIS.  6,100 hours TIS,  4-12-MI..........  411, 412
                        Mount Channel                       then 4,100
                        Flange (Eddy                        hours TIS
                        Current)                            thereafter.
                        Special
                        Detailed
                        Inspection.
54-50-00-252.........  Aft Engine Beam   11,500 hours TIS  14,100 hours      4-12-MR..........  311, 312
                        Aft Upper Angle                     TIS, then every
                        Common to Aft                       2,700 hours TIS
                        Web, BL 24.50                       thereafter.
                        (Eddy Current)
                        Special
                        Detailed
                        Inspection.
54-50-00-254.........  Forward Engine    12,000 hours TIS  16,300 hours      4-12-MS..........  410, 420
                        Mount Aft                           TIS, then every
                        Channel Web                         11,600 hours
                        (Eddy Current)                      TIS thereafter.
                        Special
                        Detailed
                        Inspection.

[[Page 5285]]

 
54-50-00-255.........  Forward Engine    12,000 hours TIS  15,600 hours      4-12-NB..........  410, 420
                        Mount Forward                       TIS, then every
                        Channel Web                         11,100 hours
                        (Eddy Current)                      TIS thereafter.
                        Special
                        Detailed
                        Inspection.
55-40-00-250.........  Vertical Fin      9,000 hours TIS,  9,000 hours TIS,  4-12-ML..........  340
                        Left and Right    then every        then every
                        Front Spar Cap    7,500 hours TIS   7,000 hours TIS
                        at Attachment     thereafter.       thereafter.
                        Hole #2 (Eddy
                        Current)
                        Special
                        Detailed
                        Inspection.
55-40-00-251.........  Vertical Fin      15,000 hours TIS  17,700 hours      4-12-MO..........  340
                        Left and Right                      TIS, then every
                        Front Spar Cap                      14,900 hours
                        at Attachment                       TIS thereafter.
                        Hole #1 (Eddy
                        Current)
                        Special
                        Detailed
                        Inspection.
55-40-00-252.........  Vertical Fin      15,000 hours      23,600 hours      4-12-MQ..........  340
                        Left and Right    TIS, then every   TIS, then every
                        Rear Spar Cap     14,500 hours      12,100 hours
                        at Attachment     TIS thereafter.   TIS thereafter.
                        Hole #1 (Eddy
                        Current)
                        Special
                        Detailed
                        Inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Additional guidance for accomplishing 
the actions required by this AD can be found in Textron Aviation 
Service Letter SL525B-05-04, Revision 1, dated January 7, 2025.

(h) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been 
done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals 
are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions 
of paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Central Certification 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 Central Certification Branch, send it 
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of 
this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (2) 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.

(j) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Soban Saeed, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1801 South Airport Road, Wichita, KS 
67209; phone: (316) 946-4123; email: [email protected].
    (2) For Textron Aviation material identified in this AD that is 
not incorporated by reference, contact Textron Aviation, Inc., P.O. 
Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; phone: (316) 517-6215; email: 
[email protected]; website: ww2.txtav.com/technicalpublications/.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on February 2, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-02415 Filed 2-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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