Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12497-12499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05117]



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                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 50 / Monday, March 16, 2026 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 12497]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0348; Project Identifier AD-2024-00626-T; 
Amendment 39-23288; AD 2026-05-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by reports of chafing and arcing damage on the 
light emitting diode (LED) sidewall wire bundles. This AD requires a 
general visual inspection (GVI) of the sidewall light for chafing 
damage and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0348; 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-2025-0348.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raja Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3537; 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 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes. The NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2025 (90 FR 14055). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports of chafing and arcing damage on the LED 
sidewall wire bundles. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a GVI 
of the sidewall light for chafing damage and applicable on-condition 
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address chafing damage on the 
LED sidewall wire bundles. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in maintenance personnel contact with a live high-voltage 
electrical cable.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Boeing and ProTech Aero Services 
Limited (ProTech) who supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA received an additional comment from American Airlines 
(American). The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to the comment.

Request for Clarification of Inspection Locations and Revised 
Illustrations

    American requested that the FAA clarify if the intent of figure 1 
of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated 
October 15, 2024 (the Boeing requirements bulletin), is to only inspect 
for wire chafing damage between the sidewall light and the power 
connector. American stated that figure 1 of the Boeing requirements 
bulletin does not show all the inspection locations or highlight that 
the inspection is limited to the area between the LED sidewall light 
harness and connector; it also does not show the different light sizes, 
harness routing, and stowage compartment sizes. American also requested 
that the FAA require Boeing to revise figures 2 and 3 of the Boeing 
requirements bulletin to include illustrations of all non-typical 
installations. Additionally, American stated that figure 2 of the 
Boeing requirements bulletin illustrates only a typical installation of 
a clip over the edge of the hole in the stowage compartment and does 
not account for non-typical wire routing configurations resulting from 
differences in stowage compartment and light sizes.
    The FAA clarifies that the inspection area for chafing damage to 
the sidewall light power connector wire bundle is illustrated in figure 
1 of the Boeing requirements bulletin as the portion of the wire bundle 
that is marked with diagonal stripes and shaded light blue.
    The FAA disagrees with the request to revise figures 2 and 3 of the 
Boeing requirements bulletin. The FAA reviewed and approved the Boeing 
requirements bulletin prior to publication of the proposed AD and 
determined that it provides sufficient instructions and illustrations 
to correct the unsafe condition. If a specific configuration prevents 
an operator from accomplishing the actions specified in the Boeing 
requirements bulletin, the operator may request an alternative method 
of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD. No changes have 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, this 
AD is adopted as proposed

[[Page 12498]]

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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 
777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024. This material specifies 
procedures for a GVI of the sidewall lights for wire chafing damage and 
applicable on-condition actions, including repairing the wire chafing 
damage, replacing the light, adjusting the wire routing, and installing 
a new wire clip, ringpost, and clamp. 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 31 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.................  Up to 100 work-hours x      $15,390  Up to $23,890.........  Up to $740,590.
                              $85 per hour = $8,500.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions 
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 
these actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost           Cost per  product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair or replacement, adjusting wire  1 work-hour x $85 per    Up to $7,613...........  Up to $7,698.
 routing, and installing parts.         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2026-05-15 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23288; Docket No. FAA-
2025-0348; Project Identifier AD-2024-00626-T.

(a) Effective Date

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

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and -300ER 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated 
October 15, 2024.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33, Lights.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of chafing and arcing damage on 
the light emitting diode (LED) sidewall wire bundles. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to prevent and address chafing damage on the LED 
sidewall wire bundles. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in maintenance personnel contact with a live high-voltage 
electrical cable.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated 
October 15, 2024, do all applicable actions identified in, and in 
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 
2024.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 777-33-0069, dated October 15, 2024, which is referred to 
in Boeing

[[Page 12499]]

Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated 
October 15, 2024.

(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications

    Where the ``Boeing Recommended Compliance Time'' column in the 
table under the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Special Attention 
Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 RB, dated October 15, 2024, refers 
to ``the Original Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 
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 Raja 
Vengadasalam, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3537; 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) 
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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 777-33-0069 
RB, dated October 15, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For the 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 March 9, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05117 Filed 3-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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