Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 194 (Thursday, October 8, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64259-64267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20680]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-2712; Project Identifier AD-2025-00931-T; 
Amendment 39-23483; AD 2026-20-10]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-20-
07, which applied to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 
airplanes. AD 2019-20-07 required repetitive operational checks of the 
leading edge (LE) outboard (OB) slats and applicable on-condition 
actions. AD 2019-20-07 also required revising the airplane flight 
manual (AFM) to prohibit flap retraction under icing conditions after 
landing and revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate a new operation check. This AD was prompted 
by the manufacturer developing further actions to address the unsafe 
condition. This AD continues to require all requirements of AD 2019-20-
07. This AD would also require replacing the LE outboard geared rotary 
actuator (GRA) with a LE outboard lockout actuator (LEOLA) at leading 
edge OB slat locations and revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a new certification 
maintenance requirement (CMR), which terminates the retained 
requirements of AD 2019-20-07. This AD also removes airplanes from the 
applicability. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 12, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 12, 
2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
October 11, 2019 (84 FR 54765, October 11, 2019).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-2712; 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-2026-2712.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emanuel Chaves Torres, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-
627-5350; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-20-07, Amendment 39-19760 (84 FR 
54765, October 11, 2019) (AD 2019-20-07). AD 2019-20-07 applied to all 
The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on March 18, 2026 (91 FR 12942). 
The NPRM was prompted by the manufacturer developing further actions to 
address the unsafe condition. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue 
to require all requirements of AD 2019-20-07. The NPRM also proposed to 
require replacing the LE outboard GRA with a LEOLA at leading edge OB 
slat locations and revising the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate a new CMR. The NPRM also 
proposed to remove airplanes from the applicability. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address a potential condition in which the LE OB slat system 
could be out of position without flight deck annunciation. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in insufficient lift, 
resulting in inability to maintain 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 Boeing. The following 
presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to 
each comment.

Request To Clarify That the New Requirements Terminate AD 2019-20-07

    Boeing requested a revision to the Summary section of the proposed 
AD to specify that the new proposed actions would terminate the 
requirements of AD 2019-20-07.
    The FAA agrees and has revised the Summary section of this AD 
accordingly.

Request To Clarify Timing of Flap Retraction Prohibition

    Boeing requested a revision to the Summary and Background sections 
and the heading to paragraph (i) of the proposed AD to clarify that 
flap retraction is prohibited under icing conditions ``after landing.''
    The FAA agrees that the AFM provision prohibits flap retraction 
under icing conditions after landing and has revised the Summary 
section accordingly. However, no other changes to this AD are necessary 
because the

[[Page 64260]]

description of the prohibition is not restated in the Background 
section of this AD and because the title of the prohibition in figure 1 
to paragraph (i) of this AD already states ``Flap Operation After 
Landing.''

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-
SB270055-00 RB, Issue 002, dated November 25, 2024. This material 
specifies procedures for replacing the LE outboard GRA with a LEOLA at 
leading edge slat 2 and slat 11 outboard locations and revising the 
operator's maintenance program to incorporate CMR document item 27-CMR-
14, ``Functionally check the Leading Edge Power Drive Unit Half System 
Torque Brake.''
    This AD also requires Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB270051-00 RB, Issue 001, dated July 5, 2019, which the Director 
of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of 
October 11, 2019 (84 FR 54765, October 11, 2019).
    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 174 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                Estimated Costs *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost       Parts cost    Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive operational checks       8 work-hours x $85            $0  $680 per operational  $118,320 per
 (retained actions from AD 2019-20-  per hour = $680 per               check.                operational check.
 07).                                operational check.
AFM revision (retained action from  1 work-hour x $85              0  $85.................  $14,790.
 AD 2019-20-07).                     per hour = $85.
Replacement (new action)..........  9 work-hours x $85        31,610  $32,375.............  $5,633,250.
                                     per hour = $765.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Table does not include estimated costs for revising the existing maintenance or inspection program.

    The FAA estimates the average total cost per operator for the 
retained revision of the existing maintenance or inspection from AD 
2019-20-17 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
    The FAA has determined that the new revision of the existing 
maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per 
operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from 
operator to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or 
inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has 
determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-
airplane estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total 
cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
    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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-20-07, Amendment 39-19760 
(84 FR 54765, October 11, 2019); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2026-20-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23483; Docket No. FAA-
2026-2712; Project Identifier AD-2025-00931-T.

[[Page 64261]]

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 12, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-20-07, Amendment 39-19760 (84 FR 54765, 
October 11, 2019) (AD 2019-20-07).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 
787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB270055-00 RB, Issue 
002, dated November 25, 2024.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the leading edge 
(LE) outboard (OB) slat system could be out of position without 
flight deck annunciation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a 
potential condition in which the LE OB slat system could be out of 
position without flight deck annunciation. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in insufficient lift, resulting in 
inability to maintain continued safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Required Actions, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2019-20-07, with no changes. 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-SB270051-
00 RB, Issue 001, dated July 5, 2019, do all applicable actions 
identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB270051-00 RB, Issue 001, dated July 5, 2019.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB270051-00, Issue 001, dated July 5, 2019, which is 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB270051-00 RB, Issue 001, dated July 5, 2019.

(h) Retained Exception to Service Information Specifications, With No 
Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2019-20-07, with no changes. For purposes of determining compliance 
with the requirements of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin B787-81205-SB270051-00 RB, Issue 001, dated July 5, 2019, 
uses the phrase ``the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB270051-00 RB,'' this AD requires using ``October 11, 2019'' 
(the effective date of AD 2019-20-07).

(i) Retained Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision To Prohibit Flap 
Retraction Under Icing Conditions, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2019-20-07, with no changes. Within 60 days after October 11, 2019 
(the effective date of AD 2019-20-07), revise the Limitations 
Section of the existing AFM to include the information in figure 1 
to paragraph (i) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of 
figure 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD into the Limitations Section of 
the existing AFM.
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(j) Retained Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision To Incorporate 
a New Operation Check, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 
2019-20-07, with no changes. Within 60 days after October 11, 2019 
(the effective date of AD 2019-20-07), revise the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information specified in figure 2 to paragraph (j) of this AD. This 
may be done by inserting a copy of figure 2 to paragraph (j) of this 
AD into the existing maintenance or inspection program.
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(k) Retained No Alternative Actions or Intervals, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 
2019-20-07, with no changes. After the existing maintenance or 
inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may 
be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (p) of this AD.

(l) New Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (i) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB270055-00 RB, Issue 002, 
dated November 25, 2024, do all applicable actions identified in, 
and in accordance with, the

[[Page 64267]]

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB270055-00 RB, Issue 002, dated November 25, 2024.

    Note 2 to paragraph (l):  Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB270055-00, Issue 002, dated November 25, 2024, which is 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB270055-00 RB, Issue 002, dated November 25, 2024.

(m) Terminating Action

    Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (l) of this AD 
terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g), (i), and (j) of this 
AD for that airplane. After all affected airplanes in an operator's 
fleet have complied with paragraph (l) of this AD, the AFM revision 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD may be removed and the 
maintenance or inspection program revision required by paragraph (j) 
of this AD may be removed.

(n) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications

    Where the Compliance Time column of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-
81205-SB270055-00 RB, Issue 002, dated November 25, 2024, refers to 
the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB270055-00 
RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(o) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (l) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
B787-81205-SB270055-00 RB, Issue 001, dated December 12, 2023.

(p) 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 (q)(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.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 2019-20-07 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of paragraphs (g), (i), and (j) of this 
AD.

(q) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Emanuel Chaves 
Torres, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5350; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by 
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (r)(5) 
of this AD.

(r) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on November 12, 
2026.
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB270055-00 
RB, Issue 002, dated November 25, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on October 11, 
2019 (84 FR 54765, October 11, 2019).
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB270051-00 
RB, Issue 001, dated July 5, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 30, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-20680 Filed 10-7-26; 8:45 am]
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