Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58807-58809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19083]



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Rules and Regulations
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 179 / Thursday, September 17, 2026 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 58807]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-1329; Project Identifier AD-2025-01626-T; 
Amendment 39-23463; AD 2026-18-08]
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 767-300F series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report of a supplier notice of escapement documenting 
that some titanium cargo track crown fittings had suspect material 
certifications. This AD requires an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) 
spectrometer inspection to identify the material composition of the 
cargo track crown fittings or replacement of all cargo track crown 
fittings with new cargo track crown fittings, and applicable on-
condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 22, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 22, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-1329; 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-2026-1329.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Stanley, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 407-
852-7677; 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 767-300F series airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on February 17, 2026 (91 FR 7180). The NPRM was 
prompted by a report of a supplier notice of escapement documenting 
that some titanium cargo track crown fittings had suspect material 
certifications. The supplier did not have correct material records to 
make sure that type design specified material was used. In the NPRM, 
the FAA proposed to require an XRF spectrometer inspection to identify 
the material composition of the cargo track crown fittings or 
replacement of all cargo track crown fittings with new cargo track 
crown fittings, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address suspect material certifications on the titanium 
track crown fittings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in cargo track failure and could lead to uncommanded movement of 
the cargo pallet and subsequent damage to critical systems located in 
the sidewall or ceiling area of the main cargo compartment, along with 
inability of a principle structural element to sustain limit loads, 
which could significantly affect controllability of the airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Boeing, FedEx Express (FedEx), and 
Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), who supported the 
NPRM without change.
    The FAA received additional comments from Aviation Partners Boeing 
(APB) and The Foundation for Aviation Safety. The following presents 
the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each 
comment.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that accomplishing Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) ST01920SE does not affect the actions specified 
in the proposed AD.
    The FAA concurs with the commenter. The FAA has redesignated 
paragraph (c) of the proposed AD as paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and 
added paragraph (c)(2) to this AD to state that installation of STC 
ST01920SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions 
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01920SE is 
installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of compliance 
(AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the 
requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

Request To Identify the Root Cause and Preventive Action for Supply 
Chain Error

    The Foundation for Aviation Safety requested that the FAA identify 
the root cause of the supply chain error, explain how it was discovered 
and why the original process was not effective in identifying erroneous 
materials, and clarify the preventive measures to ensure that the error 
does not happen again.
    The FAA acknowledges the commenter's concerns. However, the 
questions provided are general in nature and are not specific to the 
unsafe condition addressed in this AD. Broader concerns regarding 
supply chain errors are outside the scope of this AD. The FAA refers 
the commentor to the ``Background'' paragraph for additional

[[Page 58808]]

information on the discovery of the supply chain error. The FAA did not 
change this AD as a result of this comment.

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 767-53A0337 RB, 
dated October 17, 2025. This material specifies procedures for an XRF 
spectrometer inspection to identify the material composition of the 
cargo track crown fittings and applicable on-condition actions. On-
condition actions include replacing each affected cargo track crown 
fitting with a new cargo track crown fitting having Ti-6AI-4V alloy 
material. This material also specifies, as an option, procedures for 
replacement of all cargo track crown fittings with new cargo track 
crown fittings having Ti-6AI-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 43 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Cost per
               Action                      Labor cost        Parts cost    product      Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace all Cargo Track Crown        156 work-hours x $85       $63,540      $76,800  Up to $3,302,400.
 Fittings with new Cargo Track        per hour = $13,260.
 Crown Fittings.
XRF Spectrometer Inspection........  92 work-hours x $85              0        7,820  Up to $336,260.
                                      per hour = $7,820.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                      Labor cost                Parts cost              Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of Cargo Track Crown   Up to 156 work-hours x    Up to $63,540...........  Up to $76,800.
 Fittings.                          $85 per hour = $13,260.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

2026-18-08 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23463; Docket No. FAA-
2026-1329; Project Identifier AD-2025-01626-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 22, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-300F series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0337 RB, dated October 17, 2025.

[[Page 58809]]

    (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
ST01920SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions 
required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01920SE 
is installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with 
the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a supplier notice of 
escapement documenting that some titanium cargo track crown fittings 
had suspect material certifications. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address suspect material certifications on the titanium track crown 
fittings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
cargo track failure and could lead to uncommanded movement of the 
cargo pallet and subsequent damage to critical systems located in 
the sidewall or ceiling area of the main cargo compartment, along 
with inability of a principle structural element to sustain limit 
loads, which could significantly affect controllability of the 
airplane.

(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 767-53A0337 RB, dated October 17, 2025, 
do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
767-53A0337 RB, dated October 17, 2025.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
767-53A0337, dated October 17, 2025, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0337 RB, dated October 17, 2025.

(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications

    Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 767-
53A0337 RB, dated October 17, 2025, refer to the original issue date 
of Requirements Bulletin 767-53A0337 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 Taylor Stanley, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 407-852-7677; 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 767-53A0337 RB, dated 
October 17, 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 September 2, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19083 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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