Airworthiness Directives; Elixir Aircraft

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Elixir Aircraft Model Elixir airplanes. This AD was prompted by a fatal accident on a Model Elixir airplane during a production flight. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. This AD prohibits operation until approved inspection or modification procedures are identified, accomplished, and incorporated. 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 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64753-64755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20818]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-11804; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-01087-A; 
Amendment 39-23490; AD 2026-21-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Elixir Aircraft

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Elixir Aircraft Model Elixir airplanes. This AD was prompted by a fatal 
accident on a Model Elixir airplane during a production flight. The 
cause of the accident is still under investigation. This AD prohibits 
operation until approved inspection or modification procedures are 
identified, accomplished, and incorporated. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 14, 2026.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 27, 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-2026-11804; 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 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

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#593d362c3e772b2c3d36352931193f3838773e362f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f99d968c9ed78b8c9d96958991b99f9898d79e968f">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-11804; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2026-01087-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule 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 final rule.

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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug 
Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590. 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA Emergency AD 2026-0191-E, dated October 2, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 
2026-0191-E) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe 
condition on all Elixir Aircraft Model Elixir airplanes. The MCAI 
states that a fatal accident occurred on a Model Elixir airplane. The 
cause of the accident is currently under investigation. Based on all 
available information, further actions may be necessary to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes. Therefore, pending further 
investigation to determine the root cause of the accident, EASA decided 
to temporarily ground the fleet as a precautionary measure and issued 
EASA Emergency AD 2026-0191-E. Elixir Aircraft had already issued Alert 
Service Bulletin ASB-633-005-R01, dated October 2, 2026.
    The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of 
continued safe flight and landing. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-11804.

FAA's Determination

    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

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has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on 
other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD prohibits further flight of all Elixir Aircraft Model 
Elixir airplanes until all applicable corrective actions have been 
performed using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-730, 
International Validation Branch, FAA.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action 
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the severity of the consequences of not knowing what caused the 
fatal accident necessitate prohibiting further flight until approved 
inspection or modification procedures are identified, the airplane is 
inspected, and any applicable corrective actions are performed. Given 
the significance of the risk presented by this unsafe condition, it 
must be immediately addressed. Additionally, the compliance time in 
this AD is before further flight, which is shorter than the time 
necessary for the public to comment prior to publication of the final 
rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects three airplanes of U.S. 
registry. Because the cause of the unsafe condition is unknown at this 
time, there are no approved inspection or modification procedures, and 
the FAA has no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for 
any inspection and corrective actions.

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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:

2026-21-01 Elixir Aircraft: Amendment 39-23490; Docket No. FAA-2026-
11804; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-01087-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 14, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Elixir Aircraft Model Elixir airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code Not Applicable.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a fatal accident on a Model Elixir 
airplane during a production flight. The cause of the accident is 
still under investigation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in loss of continued safe flight and 
landing.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Action

    As of the effective date of this AD, further flight is 
prohibited until all applicable corrective actions have been 
performed using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-730, 
International Validation Branch, FAA.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Elixir Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin 
ASB-633-005-R01, Revision 01, dated October 2, 2026, contains 
information on the subject addressed by this AD.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199, are not allowed unless approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

[[Page 64755]]

(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)(1) of 
this AD or email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e0a1adafa3a0868181ce878f96"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e6a7aba9a5a6808787c8818990">[email&#160;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

    (1) 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#761219031158040312191a061e3610171758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6b0f041e0c45191e0f04071b032b0d0a0a450c041d">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    (2) For material identified in this AD that is not incorporated 
by reference, contact Elixir Aircraft, Rue du Jura, 17000 La 
Rochelle, France; phone: +33 0 5 64 37 80 21; email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87e6eef5f0e8f5f3efeee9e2f4f4c7e2ebeeffeef5aabbe6a7eff5e2e1ba" http: aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a>">airworthiness@elixir-<a href="http://aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a></a>; website: elixir-<a href="http://aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a>.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on October 7, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-20818 Filed 10-8-26; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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