2026-10-08: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

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: 2026-10-08 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-23348; Docket No. FAA-2025-2549; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00189-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 1, 2026. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects AD 2024-19-02, Amendment 39-22844 (89 FR 82491, October 11, 2024) (AD 2024-19-02). (c) Applicability This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before November 22, 2024. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. (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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0045, dated February 19, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0045). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0045 (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2025-0045. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0045 specifies revising "the approved AMP," within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0045 is at the applicable "limitations" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0045, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0045. (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0045. (i) Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2025-0045. (j) Terminating Action for Certain Tasks Required by AD 2024-19-02 Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the corresponding requirements of AD 2024-19-02 for the tasks identified in the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0045 only. (k) 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 (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 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 EASA; or ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Fatin Saumik, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7350; email: 9-AVS-AIR-BACO-COS@faa.gov. (m) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0045, dated February 19, 2025. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (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 May 12, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-10487 Filed 5-26-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P