FAA Enforces Immediate AD for King Air 350 Wing Spar Inspections
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD 2026-15-05) targeting Textron Aviation’s popular King Air 350 and 350C turboprops. This directive requires operators to conduct thorough inspections of the wing spar and wing-to-fuselage attach structure for cracks. The directive comes into effect on August 10, 2026, with a public comment period running through September 8.
What sets this AD apart is its origin: Textron Aviation detected the error itself. The company’s own Airworthiness Limitations Manual contained incorrect wing-inspection intervals, specifically for aircraft operating at the heavier 16,500-pound maximum takeoff weight. Textron’s revised Structural Inspection and Repair Manual (SIRM) now establishes separate inspection schedules for 15,000-lb and 16,500-lb aircraft, based on hours flown.
With a tight 25-hour or 30-day compliance window for certain operators already ticking, the FAA invoked the “good-cause exception” to bypass its standard public comment period before adopting the rule. This move signals the agency’s concern about the urgency of the matter. The directive affects 113 U.S.-registered B300 and B300C jets, and some aircraft are reportedly already overdue for inspections under the corrected intervals.
Operators and maintenance professionals are urged to review AD 2026-15-05 immediately and consult Textron’s updated SIRM to ensure compliance before the August 10 effective date.
Source: GlobalAir.com – King Air 350 Wing-Spar AD