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2026-08-07: Stabilizers

FAA order 2026-08-07 is an airworthiness directive in force since June 3, 2026. The FAA's subject line: Stabilizers. It names Bombardier DHC-8 Dash 8 and Q400: about 58 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: flight controls.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
Models
DHC-8-401, DHC-8-402
On this site
Bombardier DHC-8 Dash 8 and Q400 58 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
June 3, 2026
Published
April 29, 2026 (signed April 24, 2026)
Docket
FAA-2025-5402
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and - 402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by multiple in-service reports of cracks in elevator power control unit (PCU) brackets (fittings) and the elevator front spar. This AD requires replacing bushings and installing new washers on the elevator PCU arm fitting assembly, installing doublers at the front spar of the elevator structure assembly, replacing horizontal stabilizer rear spar elevator PCU fittings, and applicable on-conditions actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (6,300 characters)
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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-08-07 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-23315; Docket No. FAA-2025-5402; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00425-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 3, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19, dated March 24, 2025 (Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19). (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by multiple in-service reports of cracks found in the elevator power control unit (PCU) brackets (fittings) and the elevator front spar. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such cracks, which could result in failure of an elevator PCU bracket and lead to an elevator jam. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could, if both elevators are affected, result in the loss of pitch control. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19. (h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19 (1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19 refers to hours air time, this AD requires using flight hours. (3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, any corrosion, scoring, or structural degradation of the bushing holes in the arm fitting assembly is found, before further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature. (4) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19 specifies contacting the DHC technical helpdesk for an approved repair or support, for this AD, a repair must be done before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited's Transport Canada DAO. If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature. (5) Where the material referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19 specifies replacing pressure sensitive lightening tape if required, for this AD, replace the pressure sensitive lightening tape before further flight if tape is missing or torn. (6) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, any cracking at any mating hole on the spar web assembly or the lower skin is found, before further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited's Transport Canada DAO. If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature. (i) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) 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 responsible Flight Standards 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: AMOC@faa.gov . Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited's Transport Canada DAO. If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Yaser Osman, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7300; email: 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov . (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) Transport Canada AD CF-2025-19, dated March 24, 2025. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Transport Canada material identified in this AD, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; telephone 888-663-3639; email TC.AirworthinessDirectives-Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca . You may find this material on the Transport Canada website at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation . (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov . Issued on April 24, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-08303 Filed 4-28-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2011-08-31NM-11-52 · Flight Controls: Stabilizer Control System
2003-02-28NE-03-25 ·

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 5, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2026-08-07.json · aircraft systems.