Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that ...
[Docket No. FAA-2026-7233; Project Identifier AD-2026-00062-T; Amendment 39-23489; AD 2026-20-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the protection system on the left fan cowl of the right engine does not sufficiently cover the components and systems from possible cross engine debris. This AD requires performing a maintenance records check or inspection of the right engine to determine the part number of the left fan cowl and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective November 23, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 23, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket:
You may examine the AD docket at
regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2026-7233; 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:
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; websitemyboeingfleet.com.
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 atregulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2026-7233.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shaan S. Brar, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3558; email:
shaan.s.brar@faa.gov.
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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 Model airplanes. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register
on August 7, 2026 (91 FR 51111). The NPRM was prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that the protection system on the left fan cowl of the right engine does not sufficiently cover the components and systems for airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-AE3, 1000-CE3, 1000-D3, 1000-G3, 1000-H3, 1000-J3, and 1000-K3 engines. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require performing a maintenance records check or inspection of the right engine to determine the part number of the left fan cowl and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address insufficient cover leaving multiple oil lines and the P30 sense line in the right engine exposed to possible cross engine debris from the intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) rotor stage of the left engine. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to damage to critical systems of the right engine due to debris from the left engine during an uncontained engine failure event, resulting in an in-flight dual engine shutdown of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
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 in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
( printed page 65951)
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB540022-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 19, 2026. This material specifies procedures for performing a maintenance records check or inspection of the right engine, left fan cowl for fan cowl part numbers 725Z2300-307, 725Z2300-305, or 725Z2300-5003, and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition actions include modifying or replacing the existing right engine left fan cowl.
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 22 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
Maintenance records check or inspection
3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255
$0
$255
$5,610
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary modifications or 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 modification or replacement:
On-Condition Costs
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Modification of fan cowl
6 work-hours × $85 per hour = $510
$4,716
$5,226
Replacement of fan cowl
2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170
* 0
170
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the replacement parts specified in this AD.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the parts 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:
(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.
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2026-20-16 The Boeing Company:
Amendment 39-23489; Docket No. FAA-2026-7233; Project Identifier AD-2026-00062-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 23, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with Rolls Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model Trent 1000-AE3, 1000-CE3, 1000-D3, 1000-G3, 1000-H3, 1000-J3, and 1000-K3 engines.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the protection system on the left fan cowl of the right engine does not sufficiently cover the components and systems from possible cross engine debris. The FAA is issuing this AD to address insufficient cover leaving multiple oil lines and the P30 sense line in the right engine exposed to possible cross engine debris from the intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) rotor stage of the left engine. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to damage to critical systems of the right engine due to debris from the left engine during an uncontained engine failure event, resulting in an in-flight dual engine shutdown of the airplane.
( printed page 65952)
(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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB540022-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 19, 2026, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB540022-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 19, 2026.
Note 1 to paragraph (g):
Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB540022-00, Issue 001, dated February 19, 2026, which is referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB540022-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 19, 2026.
(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications
Where the “Effectivity” paragraph and the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB540022-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 19, 2026, refer to the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB540022-00 RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
For airplanes on which a right engine left fan cowl having part numbers 725Z2300-307, 725Z2300-305, or 725Z2300-5003 is not installed: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane a right engine left fan cowl having part numbers 725Z2300-307, 725Z2300-305, or 725Z2300-5003.
(j) 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 (k)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to:
AMOC@faa.gov.
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.
(k) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Shaan S. Brar, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3558; email:
shaan.s.brar@faa.gov.
(2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD.
(l) 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 B787-81205-SB540022-00 RB, Issue 001, dated February 19, 2026.
(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.
Use this for formal legal and research references to the published document.
91 FR 65950
Web Citation
Suggested Web Citation
Use this when citing the archival web version of the document.
“Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes,” thefederalregister.org (October 19, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-21326/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes.
14 CFR part 39
49 U.S.C. 106(g)
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations