Proposed Rule2025-20010
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
November 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. This proposed AD would require an inspection of each free flange of the stringers at the stringer splice for radius fillers at certain fastener locations, an inspection for cracking of the stringers and stringer splice fittings at certain stringer splice locations, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 219 (Monday, November 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 219 (Monday, November 17, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51227-51230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20010]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-4000; Project Identifier AD-2025-00440-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8F series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice
fittings located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. This
proposed AD would require an inspection of each free flange of the
stringers at the stringer splice for radius fillers at certain fastener
locations, an inspection for cracking of the stringers and stringer
splice fittings at certain stringer splice locations, and applicable
on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 2,
2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-4000; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Boeing material identified in this proposed 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 <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
<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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-4000.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Stanley, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 407-
852-7677; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c2b6a3bbaeadb0ecb1b6a3acaea7bb82a4a3a3eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94e0f5edf8fbe6bae7e0f5faf8f1edd4f2f5f5baf3fbe2">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-4000;
Project Identifier AD-2025-00440-T'' at the
[[Page 51228]]
beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a
specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Taylor Stanley, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 407-852-7677; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6612071f0a091448151207080a031f2600070748010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6d2c7dfcac9d488d5d2c7c8cac3dfe6c0c7c788c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2023-12-18, Amendment 39-22477 (88 FR 43251, July
7, 2023) (AD 2023-12-18), for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8
and -8F series airplanes. AD 2023-12-18 was prompted by reports of
cracking in stringers and splice fittings located at stringer splices
at multiple body stations. AD 2023-12-18 requires an inspection of each
free flange of the stringers at the stringer splice for the presence of
radius fillers at fastener locations, an inspection for cracking of the
stringers and stringer splice fittings at certain stringer splice
locations, and applicable on-condition actions. The agency issued AD
2023-12-18 to address cracking in stringers and splice fittings located
at stringer splices, which could result in the inability of a
structural element to sustain limit load and could affect structural
integrity of the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2023-12-18 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2023-12-18, the FAA received in-service
stringer crack reports on stringers at circumferential splice joints.
Recent testing indicates that certain materials are the root cause of
the stringer cracks at the circumferential splice joints. Existing
inspections for airplanes having line numbers 1564 through 1574
inclusive may not provide adequate damage detection before a loss of
limit load capability. These airplane line numbers are not included in
the effectivity of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB,
dated March 3, 2022. Therefore, these affected airplanes are not
included in the applicability of AD 2023-12-18, which refers to the
requirements bulletin as the appropriate source of service information.
Boeing has issued Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907
RB, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2025, which adds the affected airplanes
to its effectivity (identified as Group 3 airplanes). To address the
unsafe condition on these additional airplanes, the FAA has determined
that a stand-alone AD is more appropriate as that will be a less
burdensome approach for airplanes identified in AD 2023-12-18.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB,
Revision 1, dated March 14, 2025. This material specifies procedures
for an inspection of each free flange of the stringers at the stringer
splice for radius fillers at the fastener locations, a detailed
inspection for cracking of the stringers and stringer splice fittings
at certain stringer splice locations, and applicable on-condition
actions. On-condition actions include detailed inspections for cracking
or radius fillers, removal or installation of radius fillers, and
contacting Boeing for repair instructions and doing the repair (i.e.,
replacement of a cracked splice channel).
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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the material already described, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this
material at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-4000.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 11 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection for radius filler.... Up to 124 work- None............. Up to $10,540..... Up to $115,940.
hours x $85 per
hour = $10,540.
Inspection for cracking......... Up to 244 work- None............. Up to $20,740..... Up to $228,140.
hours x $85 per
hour = $20,740.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these actions:
[[Page 51229]]
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Inspection for cracking or for radius 1 work-hour x $85 per None.................. $85 per inspection
fillers. hour = $85. location.
Removal and installation of radius 7 work-hours x $85 per None.................. 595 per location.
fillers. hour = $595.
Replacement of cracked splice channel 300 work-hours x $85 per $809.................. 26,309 per replacement.
hour = $25,500.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this proposed 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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2025-4000; Project Identifier AD-
2025-00440-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 2, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8F series
airplanes, certificated in any category, identified as Group 3 in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, Revision 1, dated
March 14, 2025.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and
splice fittings located at stringer splices at multiple body
stations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such cracking, which
could result in the inability of a structural element to sustain
limit load and could adversely affect the structural integrity 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 747-53A2907 RB, Revision 1, dated March
14, 2025, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2025.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2907, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2025, which is referred to
in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, Revision 1,
dated March 14, 2025.
(h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
53A2907 RB, Revision 1, dated March 14, 2025, refer to the Revision
1 date of Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB, this AD requires
using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2907 RB,
Revision 1, dated March 14, 2025, specifies contacting Boeing for
repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (i) 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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a7b7775797a5c5b5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f6e62606c6f494e4e01484059">[email protected]</span></a>. 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fd899c8491928fd38e899c93919884bd9b9c9cd39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0672677f6a697428757267686a637f4660676728616970">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 51230]]
(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 747-53A2907 RB, Revision
1, dated March 14, 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 <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ef8ecb0f7f0edeefbfdeaf7f1f0def0ffecffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dabca8f4b3b4a9aabfb9aeb3b5b49ab4bba8bbf4bdb5ac">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on November 7, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-20010 Filed 11-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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