Proposed Rule2026-19411
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
September 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-07-03, which applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) (type certificate currently held by Textron Aviation, Inc.) (Textron) Model 402C and 414A airplanes. Since the FAA issued AD 2015-07-03, there have been additional reports of cracking and multi-site cracking in areas of engine beams that are difficult to access. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the engine beam for cracks and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also add a new life-limit to affected engine beams and require replacement when engine beams reach this life-limit. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 183 (Wednesday, September 23, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 23, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60336-60338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19411]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 23, 2026 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 60336]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-8818; Project Identifier AD-2025-01766-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation, Inc. (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2015-07-03, which applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna)
(type certificate currently held by Textron Aviation, Inc.) (Textron)
Model 402C and 414A airplanes. Since the FAA issued AD 2015-07-03,
there have been additional reports of cracking and multi-site cracking
in areas of engine beams that are difficult to access. This proposed AD
would require repetitive inspections of the engine beam for cracks and
applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also add a new
life-limit to affected engine beams and require replacement when engine
beams reach this life-limit. The FAA is proposing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 9,
2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-8818; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Cessna and Cessna Aircraft Company material identified
in this proposed AD, contact Textron, One Cessna Blvd., Wichita, KS
67215; phone: (316) 517-0061; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c3f383e392f38393e293f0c3834382d3a622f2321"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dfef9fff8eef9f8ffe8fecdf9f5f9ecfba3eee2e0">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://support.cessna.com">support.cessna.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1100 Main, Kansas City, MO
64105. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margot I. Perez Sosa, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1801 South Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316)
941-1287; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#befdfdfc93fdf1edfed8dfdf90d9d1c8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6b282829462824382b0d0a0a450c041d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-8818;
Project Identifier AD-2025-01766-A'' at the beginning of your comments.
The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may revise this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Margot I. Perez Sosa, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1801 South Airport
Road, Wichita, KS 67209. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2015-07-03, Amendment 39-18131 (80 FR 19017,
April 9, 2015) (AD 2015-07-03), for certain Cessna (type certificate
currently held by Textron) Model 402C and 414A airplanes. AD 2015-07-03
was prompted by reports of cracks found across the engine beams. AD
2015-07-03 requires repetitively inspecting the engine beams for cracks
and contacting Cessna for an FAA-approved corrective action if any
cracks are found. AD 2015-07-03 also requires sending an inspection
report to the FAA and to Cessna. The FAA issued AD 2015-07-03 to
prevent failure of the engine beams.
Actions Since AD 2015-07-03 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2015-07-03, there have been additional
reports of cracks found in hard-to-access areas of engine beams, and
multi-site cracking has also been detected. Further investigation
revealed that current engine beam inspection methods are insufficient,
and that a life-limit is needed for certain affected engine beams. As a
result, Textron published
[[Page 60337]]
updated Cessna supplemental inspection material for the Model 402C and
Model 414A airplanes, which adds a new life-limit for certain affected
engine beams. The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of the
engine beam. This condition, if not addressed, could result in engine
separation, loss of power, and loss of control of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Cessna Model 402C Maintenance Manual, Supplemental
Inspection Number: 54-10-04, Temporary Revision Number 5-7, dated April
15, 2019; and Cessna Model 414A Supplemental Inspection Document,
Supplemental Inspection Number: 54-10-04, Temporary Revision Number 21,
dated April 15, 2019. This material provides the engine beam life-
limits for certain affected engine beams and specifies procedures for
replacement of certain affected engine beams.
This proposed AD would also require Cessna Aircraft Company Multi-
engine Service Letter No. MEL-54-01, dated March 20, 2015, which the
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by
reference as of April 24, 2015 (80 FR 19017, April 9, 2015).
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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2015-07-
03. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the engine
beam for cracks and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD
would also add a new life-limit to certain affected engine beams and
require replacement when engine beams reach this life-limit.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 476 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepare airplane for inspections......... 3 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $255 $121,380
= $255.
Visual inspection of the engine beams 1 work-hour x $85 per hour 0 85 40,460
(four engine beams per airplane). = $85.
Eddy current inspection of the engine 1 work-hour contracted 0 600 285,600
beams (four engine beams per airplane). service x $600 per hour =
$600.
X-ray inspection of the engine beams 8 work-hours x $85 per hour 400 1,080 514,080
(four engine beams per airplane). = $680.
Replacement of all engine beams.......... 348 work-hours x $85 per 22,063 51,643 24,582,068
hour = $29,580.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has no way of knowing the extent of cracks that may be
found during the required inspections. Therefore, the FAA has no way of
determining the cost of the corrective action.
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 2015-07-03, Amendment 39-18131 (80
FR 19017, April 9, 2015); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Textron Aviation, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2026-8818; Project
Identifier AD-2025-01766-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 9, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2015-07-03, Amendment 39-18131 (80 FR 19017,
April 9, 2015) (AD 2015-07-03).
[[Page 60338]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Textron Aviation, Inc. (Textron) (type
certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 402C
and 414A airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5400, Nacelle/Pylon
Structure.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by additional reports of cracking and
multi-site cracking in areas of engine beams that are difficult to
access. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine
beam. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine
separation, loss of power, and loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspect Engine Beam
(1) For each engine beam that has accumulated less than 20,000
hours TIS, inspect each engine beam using radiographic (x-ray), eddy
current, and visual methods in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions in Cessna Aircraft Company Multi-engine Service Letter
No. MEL-54-01, dated March 20, 2015, initially at whichever of the
compliance times in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD that
occurs later and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed
200 hours TIS as long as no cracks are found. If total hours TIS on
an engine beam is unknown, use the airplane's total hours TIS.
(i) At or before the accumulation of 15,000 hours TIS on each
engine beam; or
(ii) Within the next 100 hours TIS after April 24, 2015 (the
effective date of AD 2015-07-03) or within 90 days after April 24,
2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-07-03), whichever occurs first.
(2) If any cracks are found during any inspection required by
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, either remove
the engine beam from service or repair the engine beam using a
method approved as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Contact
the Manager, Central Certification Branch, FAA; or Textron Aviation,
Inc., at the address specified in paragraph (l)(5) of this AD, for
an FAA-approved corrective action developed specifically for this
AD, and do that action.
(h) Replace Engine Beam
At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1)
or (2) of this AD, replace the engine beams with a part eligible for
installation in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in
Cessna Model 414A Supplemental Inspection Document, Supplemental
Inspection Number: 54-10-04, Temporary Revision Number 21, dated
April 15, 2019, or Cessna Model 402C Maintenance Manual,
Supplemental Inspection Number: 54-10-04, Temporary Revision Number
5-7, dated April 15, 2019, as applicable to airplane model.
(1) For engine beams that have accumulated 19,700 hours TIS or
less as of the effective date of this AD, before accumulating 20,000
hours TIS.
(2) For engine beams that have accumulated more than 19,700
hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD, whichever of the
following is applicable:
(i) For engine beams that have accumulated less than 23,000
hours TIS as of the effective date of this AD, within 300 hours TIS
or 3 years, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this
AD.
(ii) For engine beams that have accumulated 23,000 hours TIS or
more as of the effective date of this AD, within 110 hours TIS or 1
year, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although Cessna Aircraft Company Multi-engine Service Letter No.
MEL-54-01, dated March 20, 2015, specifies to submit inspection
findings to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
(j) 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 (k) of this
AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9bdad6d4d8dbfdfafab5fcf4ed"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d3c30323e3d1b1c1c531a120b">[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.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by a Textron Aviation, Inc. Unit Member (UM) of
the Textron Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), that has
been authorized by the Manager, Central Certification Branch, to
make those findings. To be approved, the repair, modification, or
alteration must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and
the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(4) Global AMOC dated September 2, 2015, Letter # L115W-15-587
approved for AD 2015-07-03, is approved as an AMOC for the
corresponding provisions of this AD.
(k) Additional Information
Margot I. Perez Sosa, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1801 South
Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 941-1287; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90d3d3d2bdd3dfc3d0f6f1f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="226161600f616d71624443430c454d54">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 [DATE 35 DAYS
AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
(i) Cessna Model 402C Maintenance Manual, Supplemental
Inspection Number: 54-10-04, Temporary Revision Number 5-7, dated
April 15, 2019.
(ii) Cessna Model 414A Supplemental Inspection Document,
Supplemental Inspection Number: 54-10-04, Temporary Revision Number
21, dated April 15, 2019.
(4) The following material was approved for IBR on April 24,
2015 (80 FR 19017, April 9, 2015).
(i) Cessna Aircraft Company Multi-engine Service Letter No. MEL-
54-01, dated March 20, 2015.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For Cessna and Cessna Aircraft Company material identified
in this AD, contact Textron Aviation, Inc., One Cessna Blvd.,
Wichita, KS 67215; phone: (316) 517-0061; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#097a7d7b7c6a7d7c7b6c7a497d717d687f276a6664"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bac9cec8cfd9cecfc8dfc9facec2cedbcc94d9d5d7">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://support.cessna.com">support.cessna.com</a>.
(6) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1100 Main, Kansas City,
MO 64105. 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#c2a4b0ecabacb1b2a7a1b6abadac82aca3b0a3eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e283c6027203d3e2b2d3a2721200e202f3c2f60292138">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 18, 2026.
Hollister B. Thorson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19411 Filed 9-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 23, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.