Rule2026-05169
Airworthiness Directives; Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
March 17, 2026
Effective
April 21, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH (Extra) Model EXTRA NG airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the canopy opening or detaching in flight because of a partially or improperly locked canopy. This AD requires replacing the canopy placards and revising the Limitations Section of the Pilot Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM). 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 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12684-12686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05169]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-5386; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01227-A;
Amendment 39-23272; AD 2026-04-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH 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
Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH (Extra) Model EXTRA NG airplanes. This AD
was prompted by reports of the canopy opening or detaching in flight
because of a partially or improperly locked canopy. This AD requires
replacing the canopy placards and revising the Limitations Section of
the Pilot Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM). The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 21, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 21,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-5386; 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 EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH material identified in
this AD, contact Extra, Schwarze Heide 21, 46569 H[uuml]nxe, Germany;
phone: +49 2858 9137 0; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ea8f848d83848f8f9883848daaaf929e988bab839889988b8c9ec4898587"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b3e353c32353e3e2932353c1b1e232f293a1a322938293a3d2f75383436">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> You may view this material 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-2025-5386.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#096d667c6e277b7c6d66657961496f6868276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eb8f849e8cc5999e8f84879b83ab8d8a8ac58c849d">[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 Extra Model EXTRA
NG airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
December 10, 2025 (90 FR 57168). The NPRM was prompted by European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0156, dated July 21, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0156) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union. The MCAI states that there are reports of canopies opening or
detaching during flight. Further investigation revealed that, in most
cases, the root cause was a partially or improperly locked canopy. This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in canopy
separation, possibly leading to damage to the airplane structure, loss
of control of the airplane, or injuries to people on the ground.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the canopy
placards and revising the Limitations Section of the POH/AFM. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-5386.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
[[Page 12685]]
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. This AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin No.
SB-NG-1-24, Issue A, dated December 19, 2024. This material specifies
procedures for revising the Limitations Section of the POH/AFM to
include the newly mandated placard. Compliance shall be accomplished by
incorporating Revision 16 or later approved revisions of the POH/AFM.
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 30 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace canopy placards.................. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $10 $95 $2,850
= $85.
Revise POH/AFM........................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour 0 85 2,550
= $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:
2026-04-12 Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH: Amendment 39-23272; Docket
No. FAA-2025-5386; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01227-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 21, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Model EXTRA
NG airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 1100, Placards and
Markings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of the canopy opening or
detaching in flight because of a partially or improperly locked
canopy. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address placards/
design that did not provide adequate positive canopy locking or
confirmation. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
in canopy separation, possibly leading to damage to the airplane
structure, loss of control of the airplane, or injuries to people on
the ground.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For airplanes without canopy placard part number (P/N) EX-
01106.01-Canopy installed, within 3 months or 25 hours time-in-
service, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD,
replace the affected canopy placards at the front and rear canopy
handles in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS, steps 1 and 2, in EXTRA
Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin No. SB-NG-1-24, Issue A,
dated December 19, 2024 (EXTRA SB-NG-1-24).
(2) Before next flight, after the replacement of the affected
canopy placards required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, revise the
Limitations Section of the existing pilot's operating handbook/
airplane flight manual (POH/AFM) to include canopy placard P/N EX-
01106.01-Canopy in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS, step 3, in
EXTRA SB-NG-1-24. The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a
private pilot certificate may revise the existing POH/AFM for the
airplane and must enter compliance with the applicable paragraph of
this AD into the airplane maintenance records in accordance with 14
CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v).
(3) Amending the existing POH/AFM by incorporating a later POH/
AFM revision that includes information identical to that required by
paragraph (g)(2) is an acceptable
[[Page 12686]]
method to comply with the requirements of paragraph (g)(2) of this
AD.
(h) Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, do not replace any canopy
placard with a placard that is not P/N EX-01106.01-Canopy.
(i) 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 (j) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92d3dfddd1d2f4f3f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4e5e9ebe7e4c2c5c58ac3cbd2">[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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329-4059; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#60040f15074e1215040f0c1008200601014e070f16"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83e7ecf6e4adf1f6e7eceff3ebc3e5e2e2ade4ecf5">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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.
(i) EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin No. SB-NG-1-
24, Issue A, dated December 19, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH material identified in
this AD, contact Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH, Schwarze Heide 21,
46569 H[uuml]nxe, Germany; phone: +49 2858 9137 0; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e0858e87898e858592898e87a0a598949281a189928392818694ce838f8d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dbbeb5bcb2b5bebea9b2b5bc9b9ea3afa9ba9ab2a9b8a9babdaff5b8b4b6">[email protected]</span></a>.
(4) You may view this material 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.
(5) 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#a9cfdb87c0c7dad9cccaddc0c6c7e9c7c8dbc887cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4c2a3e6225223f3c292f382523220c222d3e2d622b233a">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on February 19, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05169 Filed 3-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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