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2026-16-13: Turbine Section

FAA order 2026-16-13 is an airworthiness directive in force since August 31, 2026. The FAA's subject line: Turbine Section. It names the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines: about 42 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Engine
Makes: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
Models: PW210A, PW210A1, PW210S
Engine series: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A 16 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S 26 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: August 31, 2026
Published: August 14, 2026 (signed August 5, 2026)
Docket: FAA-2026-7238
Replaces: 2026-13-09
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2026-13- 09, which applied to all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) Model PW210A, PW210A1, and PW210S engines. AD 2026-13-09 required repetitive visual inspections of the turbine exhaust frame for cracks and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the turbine exhaust frame. Since the FAA issued AD 2026-13-09, a manufacturer's analysis revealed that turbine exhaust frames manufactured from a certain material were less durable and more susceptible to developing cracks under thermal stress. This AD requires repetitive visual inspections of the turbine exhaust frame for cracks at different initial inspection thresholds than required by AD 2026-13-09 based on the material used during manufacture and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the turbine exhaust frame. 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 (4,768 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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2026-13-09, Amendment 39-23391 (91 FR 38991, June 29, 2026); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-16-13 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.: Amendment 39-23443; Docket No. FAA-2026-7238; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00764-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 31, 2026. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2026-13-09, Amendment 39-23391 (91 FR 38991, June 29, 2026). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Model PW210A, PW210A1, and PW210S engines. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of circumferential cracks found at the turbine exhaust frame external surface caused by thermal stress from engine starts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the turbine exhaust frame. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in turbine exhaust frame failure, which could lead to loss of axial containment, release of parts, and damage to the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definition For the purpose of this AD, an "engine start" includes the start of an engine for any reason, even if it is not followed by a flight. (h) Required Actions Except as specified in paragraphs (i) and (j) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2026-35, dated July 15, 2026 (Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2026-35). (i) Exceptions to Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2026-35 (1) Where Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2026-35 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2026-35 requires compliance in terms of hours air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (j) No Reporting Requirement Although the service material referenced in Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2026-35 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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 Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238-7146; email: barbara.caufield@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. (i) Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2026-35, dated July 15, 2026. (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; phone: (888) 663-3639; email: tc.airworthinessdirectives-consignesdenavigabilite.tc@tc.gc.ca. You may find the Transport Canada 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, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (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 August 5, 2026. Brian Knaup, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-16655 Filed 8-12-26; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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/2026-16-13.json · aircraft systems.