Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2066-2068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00839]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-1110; Project Identifier AD-2025-00166-T; 
Amendment 39-23234; AD 2026-01-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 787-9 and 787-10 airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by reports of multiple supplier notices of escapement 
(NOEs) indicating that multiple cargo barrier fitting links were 
possibly manufactured with an incorrect titanium alloy material. This 
AD requires a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) or handheld X-ray 
fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer inspection of the cargo barrier fitting 
link to determine the titanium alloy material and applicable on-
condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 20, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 20, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1110; 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, 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:
    <bullet> For Boeing material identified in this AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; 
telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
    <bullet> 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-2025-1110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Hodgin, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3962; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing 
Company Model 787-9 and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on June 25, 2025 (90 FR 26945). The NPRM was prompted 
by reports of multiple supplier NOEs indicating that multiple cargo 
barrier fitting links (both left and right) were possibly manufactured 
with an incorrect titanium alloy material. In the NPRM, the FAA 
proposed to require an HFEC or handheld XRF spectrometer inspection of 
the cargo barrier fitting link to determine the titanium alloy material 
and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address cargo barrier fitting links possibly manufactured with the 
incorrect titanium alloy material, which, if not addressed, could fail 
in the event of a rapid decompression in the aft fuselage and could 
result in damage to the aft electronic equipment bay and consequent 
loss of continued safe flight and landing.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International, (ALPA) and United Airlines who supported the NPRM 
without change.
    The FAA received additional comments from American Airlines 
(American) and Boeing. The following presents the comments received on 
the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Revise the Number of Affected Airplanes

    Boeing requested the FAA revise the estimated number of affected 
airplanes of U.S. registry from 23 to 25 in the Costs of Compliance 
paragraph of the proposed AD and adjust the costs accordingly. Boeing 
noted that Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530089-00 
RB, Issue 001, dated February 7, 2025, includes 25 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. Boeing explained that the two additional airplanes are 
currently operated by foreign operators but remain on the U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA agrees with the request and has revised the Costs of 
Compliance section of this AD accordingly.

Request To Clarify Inspection Instructions

    American requested the FAA revise paragraph (g) of the proposed AD 
to state that either an XRF or HFEC inspection method is acceptable for 
compliance with the proposed AD. The commenter expressed concern that 
paragraph (g) of the proposed AD specifies doing all applicable actions 
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530089-00 RB, Issue 
001, dated February 7, 2025, but the inspection instructions in the 
requirements bulletin do not clearly state that doing an HFEC 
inspection to determine the type of titanium alloy material negates the 
need for an XRF inspection (for example, see task 1, table 1, More Data 
notes 1 and 2). The commenter stated it cannot accomplish the XRF 
inspection because the equipment is unavailable.
    The FAA disagrees with the request. Tables 1 through 3 the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the requirements bulletin specify to do 
an HFEC or handheld XRF spectrometer inspection of the cargo barrier 
fitting link to determine the titanium alloy material. In addition, 
More Data note 2 of the corresponding

[[Page 2067]]

Method of Compliance task tables states to do, as an option, an HFEC 
inspection of the cargo barrier fitting link to determine the material 
in accordance with appendix A of the requirements bulletin. More Data 
note 2 denotes that the HFEC inspection is an alternative to the XRF 
spectrometer inspection specified in More Data note 1. Therefore, 
operators may accomplish either an HFEC or XRF spectrometer inspection 
to comply with the AD requirement to determine the type of titanium 
alloy material. No change has been made to this AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    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, and 
any other changes described previously, 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 Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB530089-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 7, 2025. This material 
specifies procedures for an HFEC or handheld XRF spectrometer 
inspection of the cargo barrier fitting link to determine the titanium 
alloy material type, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition 
actions include replacing any affected fitting link with a new cargo 
barrier fitting link that is manufactured with Ti-6Al-4V alloy 
material. 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 25 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $2,125
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacements that 
would be required based on the results of the inspection. The agency 
has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this 
replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                    Labor cost                Parts cost               Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement......................  1 work-hour x $85     Up to $2,010...............  Up to $2,095.
                                    per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2026-01-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23234; Docket No. FAA-
2025-1110; Project Identifier AD-2025-00166-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 20, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-9 and 787-10 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530089-00 RB, Issue 001, 
dated February 7, 2025.

[[Page 2068]]

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of multiple supplier notices of 
escapement (NOEs) indicating that multiple cargo barrier fitting 
links were possibly manufactured with an incorrect titanium alloy 
material. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cargo barrier 
fitting links possibly manufactured with the incorrect titanium 
alloy material, which, if not addressed, could fail in the event of 
a rapid decompression in the aft fuselage and could result in damage 
to the aft electronic equipment bay and consequent loss of continued 
safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530089-00 RB, Issue 001, 
dated February 7, 2025, do all applicable actions identified in, and 
in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530089-00 RB, Issue 001, dated 
February 7, 2025.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB530089-00, Issue 001, dated February 7, 2025, which is 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB530089-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 7, 2025.

(h) Exception to Requirements Bulletin Specifications

    Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB530089-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 7, 2025, refer to 
the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530089-00 
RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 Continued Operational 
Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, to make those 
findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, 
or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the 
airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.

(j) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Hodgin, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3962; email: [email protected].
    (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by 
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) 
of this AD.

(k) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB530089-00 
RB, Issue 001, dated February 7, 2025.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Boeing material identified in this AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; 
telephone 562-797-1717; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (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 [email protected].

    Issued on January 6, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-00839 Filed 1-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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