AD 2026-04-12

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH (Extra) Model EXTRA NG airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the canopy opening or detaching in flight because of a partially or improperly locked canopy. This AD requires replacing the canopy placards and revising the Limitations Section of the Pilot Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

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: 2026-04-12 Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH: Amendment 39-23272; Docket No. FAA-2025-5386; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01227-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 21, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Model EXTRA NG airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 1100, Placards and Markings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of the canopy opening or detaching in flight because of a partially or improperly locked canopy. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address placards/design that did not provide adequate positive canopy locking or confirmation. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in canopy separation, possibly leading to damage to the airplane structure, loss of control of the airplane, or injuries to people on the ground. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For airplanes without canopy placard part number (P/N) EX-01106.01-Canopy installed, within 3 months or 25 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, replace the affected canopy placards at the front and rear canopy handles in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS, steps 1 and 2, in EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin No. SB-NG-1-24, Issue A, dated December 19, 2024 (EXTRA SB-NG-1-24). (2) Before next flight, after the replacement of the affected canopy placards required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the existing pilot's operating handbook/airplane flight manual (POH/AFM) to include canopy placard P/N EX-01106.01-Canopy in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS, step 3, in EXTRA SB-NG-1-24. The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing POH/AFM for the airplane and must enter compliance with the applicable paragraph of this AD into the airplane maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). (3) Amending the existing POH/AFM by incorporating a later POH/AFM revision that includes information identical to that required by paragraph (g)(2) is an acceptable method to comply with the requirements of paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. (h) Installation Prohibition As of the effective date of this AD, do not replace any canopy placard with a placard that is not P/N EX-01106.01-Canopy. (i) 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 local Flight Standards District 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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. (k) 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) EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin No. SB-NG-1-24, Issue A, dated December 19, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH material identified in this AD, contact Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH, Schwarze Heide 21, 46569 Hünxe, Germany; phone: +49 2858 9137 0; email: engineering@ExtraAircraft.com. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. 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 February 19, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-05169 Filed 3-16-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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 Extra Model EXTRA NG airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2025 (90 FR 57168). The NPRM was prompted by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0156, dated July 21, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0156) (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 there are reports of canopies opening or detaching during flight. Further investigation revealed that, in most cases, the root cause was a partially or improperly locked canopy. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in canopy separation, possibly leading to damage to the airplane structure, loss of control of the airplane, or injuries to people on the ground. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the canopy placards and revising the Limitations Section of the POH/AFM. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-5386. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs. 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. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin No. SB-NG-1-24, Issue A, dated December 19, 2024. This material specifies procedures for revising the Limitations Section of the POH/AFM to include the newly mandated placard. Compliance shall be accomplished by incorporating Revision 16 or later approved revisions of the POH/AFM. 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 30 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: Estimated Costs Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators Replace canopy placards 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 $10 $95 $2,850 Revise POH/AFM 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 0 85 2,550 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. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39-AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-04-12 Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH: Amendment 39-23272; Docket No. FAA-2025-5386; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01227-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 21, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Model EXTRA NG airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 1100, Placards and Markings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of the canopy opening or detaching in flight because of a partially or improperly locked canopy. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address placards/design that did not provide adequate positive canopy locking or confirmation. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in canopy separation, possibly leading to damage to the airplane structure, loss of control of the airplane, or injuries to people on the ground. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For airplanes without canopy placard part number (P/N) EX-01106.01-Canopy installed, within 3 months or 25 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, replace the affected canopy placards at the front and rear canopy handles in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS, steps 1 and 2, in EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin No. SB-NG-1-24, Issue A, dated December 19, 2024 (EXTRA SB-NG-1-24). (2) Before next flight, after the replacement of the affected canopy placards required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the existing pilot's operating handbook/airplane flight manual (POH/AFM) to include canopy placard P/N EX-01106.01-Canopy in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS, step 3, in EXTRA SB-NG-1-24. The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing POH/AFM for the airplane and must enter compliance with the applicable paragraph of this AD into the airplane maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). (3) Amending the existing POH/AFM by incorporating a later POH/AFM revision that includes information identical to that required by paragraph (g)(2) is an acceptable method to comply with the requirements of paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. (h) Installation Prohibition As of the effective date of this AD, do not replace any canopy placard with a placard that is not P/N EX-01106.01-Canopy. (i) 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 local Flight Standards District 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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. (k) 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) EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH Service Bulletin No. SB-NG-1-24, Issue A, dated December 19, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EXTRA Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH material identified in this AD, contact Extra Aerobatic Aircraft GmbH, Schwarze Heide 21, 46569 Hünxe, Germany; phone: +49 2858 9137 0; email: engineering@ExtraAircraft.com. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. 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 February 19, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.