Proposed Rule2026-03036
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 17, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300F series airplanes. This proposed 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 proposed AD would require 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 proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7180-7183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03036]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-1329; Project Identifier AD-2025-01626-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 767-300F series airplanes. This
proposed 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 proposed AD would require 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 proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 3,
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
[[Page 7181]]
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-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 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-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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87f3e6feebe8f5a9f4f3e6e9ebe2fec7e1e6e6a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="97e3f6eefbf8e5b9e4e3f6f9fbf2eed7f1f6f6b9f0f8e1">[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-2026-1329;
Project Identifier AD-2025-01626-T'' at the 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#98ecf9e1f4f7eab6ebecf9f6f4fde1d8fef9f9b6fff7ee"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d5a1b4acb9baa7fba6a1b4bbb9b0ac95b3b4b4fbb2baa3">[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 has received 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. 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.
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 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-6Al-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.
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-2026-1329.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 43 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product Cost on U.S. operators
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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.
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[[Page 7182]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements 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 replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Replacement of Cargo Track Crown Up to 156 work- Up to $63,540.............. Up to $76,800.
Fittings. hours x $85 per
hour = $13,260.
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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-2026-1329; Project Identifier
AD-2025-01626-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 3, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
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.
(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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84c5c9cbc7c4e2e5e5aae3ebf2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d6c60626e6d4b4c4c034a425b">[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.
[[Page 7183]]
(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#6511041c090a174b1611040b09001c250304044b020a13"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4f3b2e3623203d613c3b2e21232a360f292e2e61282039">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 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 <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#e88e9ac681869b988d8b9c818786a886899a89c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ea8c98c48384999a8f899e838584aa848b988bc48d859c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on February 11, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03036 Filed 2-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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