# 2026-00117: FAA Targets De Havilland Cracks: Proposed Fixes for Safer Skies

2026-00117, Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-07, effective The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 23, 2026. (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00117
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00117
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 454
- Published: 2026-01-07
- Effective: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 23, 2026.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FAA Targets De Havilland Cracks: Proposed Fixes for Safer Skies

## Summary

The FAA wants to fix some cracks found on certain De Havilland DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes that could cause safety problems. They’re proposing to replace parts like bushings and washers, add reinforcements, and swap out some fittings to keep these planes flying safely. Owners need to comment by February 23, 2026, and should expect some costs and maintenance time to get these fixes done.

## Abstract

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple in-service reports of cracks in elevator power control unit (PCU) brackets (fittings) and the elevator front spar. This proposed AD would require 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 proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Required fixes for DHC‑8‑401/402 elevators: cost, high. If you own or operate De Havilland DHC-8-401 or DHC-8-402 airplanes, the FAA proposes to require replacing bushings and washers on elevator PCU arm fittings, installing doublers at the elevator front spar, replacing horizontal stabilizer rear spar PCU fittings, and performing specified inspections…
- FAA cost estimate for affected U.S. airplanes: cost, high. The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 54 U.S.-registered airplanes. The FAA estimates per-airplane costs of up to $21,118 (labor up to 81 work-hours at $85/hour and parts up to $14,233) and total U.S. operator costs up to $1,140,372; on‑condition action costs are not estimated and some cos…

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## Sources
- [2026-00117 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/07/2026-00117/airworthiness-directives-de-havilland-aircraft-of-canada-limited-type-certificate-previously-held-by)
- [2026-00117 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-07/pdf/2026-00117.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00117 (as of 2026-06-11).