# 2026-16655: FAA Mandates Extra Checks on Pratt & Whitney Turbine Exhaust Frames

2026-16655, Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Engines, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-08-14, effective 2026-08-31; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16655
- As of: 2026-08-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16655
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Engines
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 52487
- Published: 2026-08-14
- Effective: 2026-08-31
- Comments close: 2026-09-28
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-08-21

## In one line

FAA Mandates Extra Checks on Pratt & Whitney Turbine Exhaust Frames

## Summary

If you own or work with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A series engines, listen up! The FAA updated the rules for checking turbine exhaust frames because some frames made from certain materials crack more easily. Starting August 31, 2026, you’ll need to inspect these parts more carefully and replace them if needed to keep flights safe—so plan for some extra checks and possible repairs soon.

## Abstract

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.

## Effects PRIA read

- Material-based earlier inspection schedule: cost, medium. Operators of Pratt & Whitney Canada Model PW210A, PW210A1, and PW210S engines must perform repetitive visual inspections of the turbine exhaust frame for cracks at new initial inspection thresholds that vary depending on the material used in manufacture. This AD supersedes AD 2026-13-09 and require…
- Immediate short compliance window: cost, medium. For certain engines, the AD requires initial actions to be done within 5 hours time-in-service or 20 engine starts after the effective date, whichever occurs first. The rule is effective August 31, 2026, and the FAA adopted this short compliance time without prior public comment because of the safe…
- High cost of on-condition replacements: cost, high. If inspections find cracks, replacement of the turbine exhaust frame may be required. The FAA estimates on-condition replacement costs per product at $125,765 (parts $125,000 plus 9 work-hours at $85/hour = $765).

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## Sources
- [2026-16655 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/14/2026-16655/airworthiness-directives-pratt-and-whitney-canada-corp-engines)
- [2026-16655 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-14/pdf/2026-16655.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-16645, Safety Zone; West Passage Narragansett Bay, Narragansett, RI](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16645)
- [Next: 2026-16657, Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16657)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16655 (as of 2026-08-21).