Rule2026-02415
Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Cessna Aircraft Company) 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
February 6, 2026
Effective
March 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 25 (Friday, February 6, 2026)</title>
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[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 [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#db989899f69894889bbdbabaf5bcb4ad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eaa9a9a8c7a9a5b9aa8c8b8bc48d859c">[email protected]</span></a>.
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
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Revise the ALS........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $51,085
hour = $85.
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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
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Existing task Revised task Inspection
Task No. Task title interval interval document Zone
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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.
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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.
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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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#42030f0d01022423236c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="43020e0c00032522226d242c35">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91d2d2d3bcd2dec2d1f7f0f0bff6fee7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f4c4c4d224c405c4f696e6e21686079">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d7b4bea3b6a3beb8b9a7a2b5a497a3afa3b6a1f9b4b8ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8cbc1dcc9dcc1c7c6d8ddcadbe8dcd0dcc9de86cbc7c5">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://ww2.txtav.com/technicalpublications/">ww2.txtav.com/technicalpublications/</a>.
(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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