Rule2026-00162
Airworthiness Directives; DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 8, 2026
Effective
February 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
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European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, superseded the previous Direction generale de l'aviation civile (DGAC) France AD to introduce new service information providing instructions for installing new vertical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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)</title>
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[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 [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b6f7976787a697e5b277a3b73697e7d26" http: daher.com">daher.com</a>">tbmcare@<a href="http://daher.com">daher.com</a></a>; website: <a href="http://daher.com">daher.com</a>.
<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
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8fe7f6eaa1f6e0e0e1a1e5eee1e8cfe9eeeea1e8e0f9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6901100c4710060607470308070e290f0808470e061f">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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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
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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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).
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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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d6c60626e6d4b4c4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="50111d1f13103631317e373f26">[email protected]</span></a>. 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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#660e1f03481f090908480c0708012600070748010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="610918044f180e0e0f4f0b000f06210700004f060e17">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82f6e0efe1e3f0e7c2bee3a2eaf0e7e4bf" http: daher.com">daher.com</a>">tbmcare@<a href="http://daher.com">daher.com</a></a>; website: <a href="http://daher.com">daher.com</a>.
(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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b5d3c79bdcdbc6c5d0d6c1dcdadbf5dbd4c7d49bd2dac3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e88e9ac681869b988d8b9c818786a886899a89c68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>.
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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