2025-26-02: Vertical Stabilizer Structure

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive AD 2007-06-11, Amendment 39-14992 (72 FR 12546, March 16, 2007); and 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, 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: AMOC@faa.gov. 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: hye.yoon.jang@faa.gov. (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: tbmcare@daher.com; website: daher.com. (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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. 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