Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43033-43034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-14109]



[[Page 43033]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-7217; Project Identifier AD-2025-01364-A; 
Amendment 39-23411; AD 2026-14-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. 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 
certain Textron Aviation Inc., Model 408 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by the manufacturer's revision of the aircraft maintenance 
manual (AMM) to add a detailed inspection for the horizontal stabilizer 
spar, and change the airplane serial effectivity for the vertical 
stabilizer spar detailed inspection. 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 August 18, 2026.

ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov 
under Docket No. FAA-2026-7217; 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 certain Textron 
Aviation Inc., Model 408 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on April 29, 2026 (91 FR 23023). The NPRM was prompted 
by a report from Textron Aviation Inc., that an undetected crack could 
develop in the horizontal and vertical stabilizers forward and aft 
spars on certain Model 408 airplanes due to a quality escape from the 
supplier during manufacturing. The NPRM was further prompted by the 
manufacturer's revision of the AMM to introduce a detailed inspection 
for the horizontal stabilizer spar, and a revision to the airplane 
serial effectivity for the vertical stabilizer spar detailed 
inspection. 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 unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane or reduced controllability of the 
airplane with possible loss of control of the airplane. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

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 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 28 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 hour =           $0         $85        $2,380
                                              $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:

[[Page 43034]]

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:

2026-14-10 Textron Aviation Inc.: Amendment 39-23411; Docket No. 
FAA-2026-7217; Project Identifier AD-2025-01364-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 18, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. Model 408 airplanes, 
serial numbers -0012 through -0051, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5530, Vertical 
Stabilizer Structure; 5510, Horizontal Stabilizer Structure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's revision of the 
aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) to introduce a detailed inspection 
for the horizontal stabilizer spar, and a change to the airplane 
serial effectivity for the vertical stabilizer spar detailed 
inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address cracks 
in the horizontal and vertical stabilizers forward and aft spars. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane or reduced controllability of 
the airplane with possible loss of control 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 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 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 408 Airworthiness Limitation Tasks
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Inspection                         Serial
         Task number             Task title        Interval         document          Zone         effectivity
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55-10-00-221................  Horizontal       1600 flight      4-12-MB........        351, 352  -0012 through -
                               Stabilizer       hours.                                            0040.
                               Spar Detailed
                               Inspection.
55-30-00-221................  Vertical         1600 flight      4-12-MB........   341, 342, 343  -0012 through -
                               Stabilizer       hours.                                            0051.
                               Spar Detailed
                               Inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Additional guidance for accomplishing 
the actions required by this AD can be found in Textron Aviation 
Inc. Service Letter SL408-04-01, dated December 8, 2025.

(h) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been 
performed, 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 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 July 9, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-14109 Filed 7-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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