# AD 2025-26-01: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: ATR – GIE Avions de Transport Régional ATR42-200, ATR42-300 and ATR42-320
- Effective: February 9, 2026
- Published: January 5, 2026, 91 FR 195–197
- Issued: December 17, 2025
- Issued as: Final rule
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Large airplane
- ATA chapter: 05 · Time limits and maintenance checks
- Amendment: 39-23222
- Docket: FAA-2025-2269 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2025-2269)
- Project: MCAI-2025-00188-T
- Registered aircraft: 20 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/60/f3/60f39224e6bd9fe6d63625db54b268fddd07f206dff0cdb7ecb26d924451fec2 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-05/pdf/2025-24240.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/05/2025-24240/airworthiness-directives-atr-gie-avions-de-transport-rgional-airplanes
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FR-ADFRAWD-2025-24240-0000000000.0001
- DRS record last changed: January 5, 2026
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2025-26-01

## Summary

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ATR—GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## The airworthiness directive

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2025-26-01 ATR—GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-23222; Docket No. FAA-2025-2269; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00188-T.

### (a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 9, 2026.

### (b) Affected ADs

This AD affects AD 2025-10-06, Amendment 39-23040 (90 FR 21851, May 22, 2025) (AD 2025-10-06).

### (c) Applicability

This AD applies to all ATR—GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes, certificated in any category.

### (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 fuel tank ignition.

### (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 2025-0044, dated February 19, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0044).

### (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0044

  (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2025-0044.

  (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0044 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) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraphs (4) of EASA AD 2025-0044.

  (4) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0044.

### (i) Provisions for Alternative 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 CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2025-0044.

### (j) Terminating Action for Certain Tasks Required by AD 2025-10-06

Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the corresponding requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2025-10-06 for the tasks identified in the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0044 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 2025-0044, 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.

## Rule preamble

### Dates

This AD is effective February 9, 2026.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 9, 2026.

### Addresses

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2269; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

• For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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.

• 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2269.

### For further information 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.

### Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all ATR—GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 26, 2025 (90 FR 41523). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0044, dated February 19, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0044) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations have been developed.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 2025-0044. 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 fuel tank ignition.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2269.

### Comments

The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.

### Conclusion

These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

### Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0044, which specifies new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations related to fuel tank ignition prevention. This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

### Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 17 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour).

### Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

### Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

  (1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

  (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

  (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

### The Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A53EU](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A53EU): ATR – GIE Avions de Transport Régional; names 3 of 11 models: ATR42-300, ATR42-320, ATR42-200

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 20 (20 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Aerospatiale/Aeritalia 16, Aerospatiale/Alenia 2, Atr-Gie Avions De Transport 1, Atr-Gie Avions De Trnsp Rgnl 1

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Aerospatiale/Aeritalia ATR 42-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-aeritalia-atr-42-300): 12 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Aerospatiale/Aeritalia ATR 42-320](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-aeritalia-atr-42-320): 4 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 42-320](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-alenia-atr-42-320): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Atr-Gie Avions De Transport ATR-42-320](https://openairdocs.org/model/atr-gie-avions-de-transport-atr-42-320): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Atr-Gie Avions De Trnsp Rgnl ATR 42-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/atr-gie-avions-de-trnsp-rgnl-atr-42-300): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 5 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2025-26-01/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2025-26-01/aircraft.md

## Related documents

- [AD 2025-10-06](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2025-10-06): Time Limits/Maintenance Checks · ATR – GIE Avions de Transport Régional ATR42-200, ATR42-300 and ATR42-320. Effective Jun 26, 2025. Affected by this AD
- [Proposed rule FAA-2025-2269](https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2025-2269): Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published Aug 26, 2025

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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