2026-11-06: Hardware; Standard practices/structures

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: 2026-11-06 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-23367; Docket No. FAA-2025-2558; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00022-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 9, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD. (1) Model DHC-8-101, -102, -103, and -106 airplanes. (2) Model DHC-8-201 and -202 airplanes. (3) Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes. (4) Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 14, Hardware; 51, Standard practices/structures. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of cracked barrel nuts at the wing front spar and horizontal stabilizer to vertical stabilizer joint, which was caused by corrosion from inadequate cadmium plating on the barrel nuts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking and corrosion of the affected barrel nuts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failed barrel nuts that could compromise the structural integrity of the airplane and could lead to loss of control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Actions for Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 Series Airplanes For Model DHC-8-101, -102, -103, and -106 airplanes, Model DHC-8-201 and -202 airplanes, and Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (4) of this AD. (1) As of 60 days after the effective date of this AD: At the next flight compartment windshield replacement, do a detailed inspection for cracks and corrosion of the barrel nuts at the windshield side posts and, before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 8-05-11, dated April 29, 2022. Repeat the inspection thereafter at each flight compartment windshield replacement. (2) Within 6 years since entry into service, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do detailed inspections for cracks and corrosion of the barrel nuts at the nose landing gear trunnion plate assemblies, nacelle lower longeron attachments, the front, mid and rear spar horizontal stabilizer to vertical stabilizer attachments, the bathtub fittings attachments, the wing rib YW23.858 assemblies, and the wing rib YW42.00 assemblies, and before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 8-05-11, dated April 29, 2022. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 years. (3) Within 6 years since entry into service, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do a detailed inspection for cracks and corrosion of the barrel nuts, having part number (P/N) DSC228-5, at the control attachment fittings, and before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 8-27-122, dated July 18, 2019. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 years. (4) Within 7 years since entry into service, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do a detailed inspection for cracks and corrosion of the barrel nuts, having P/N DSC228-4, at the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism, and before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 8-27-121, dated July 30, 2019. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7 years. (h) Actions for Model DHC-8-400 Series Airplanes For Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) through (3) of this AD. (1) As of 60 days after the effective date of this AD: At the next flight compartment windshield replacement, do a detailed inspection for cracks and corrosion of the barrel nuts at the flight compartment windshield side posts, and before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-05-02, dated April 29, 2022. Repeat the inspection thereafter at each flight compartment windshield replacement. (2) Within 6 years since entry into service, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do detailed inspections for cracks and corrosion of the barrel nuts at the vertical stabilizer pitch feel trim frame, the front and rear spar wing to fuselage attachment joint struts and fittings, and the bathtub fitting attachments, and before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-05-02, dated April 29, 2022. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 years. (3) Within 7 years since entry into service, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do a detailed inspection for cracks and corrosion of the barrel nuts, having P/N DSC228-4, at the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism, and before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-27-73, dated May 8, 2019. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7 years. (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 Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Christopher Spencer, 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) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 8-05-11, dated April 29, 2022. (ii) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 8-27-121, dated July 30, 2019. (iii) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 8-27-122, dated July 18, 2019. (iv) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-05-02, dated April 29, 2022. (v) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-27-73, dated May 8, 2019. (3) For De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited material identified in this AD, contact De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Dash 8 Series Customer Response Centre, 5800 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5K9, Canada; telephone North America (toll-free): 855-310-1013, Direct: 647-277-5820; email thd@dehavilland.com; website dehavilland.com. (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 26, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-11217 Filed 6-3-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P