Rule2026-08304
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
April 29, 2026
Effective
June 3, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22998-23001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08304]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2275; Project Identifier AD-2025-00796-T;
Amendment 39-23317; AD 2026-08-09]
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 757-200 and -300 series airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 3, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 3, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
[[Page 22999]]
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2275; 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 Aviation Partners Boeing material identified in this
AD, contact Aviation Partners Boeing, 555 Andover Park West, Suite 200,
Tukwila, WA 98188; telephone 206-830-7699; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e8848d868fa8899e81899c81878698899a9c868d9a9bc68b8785"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ed8188838aad8c9b848c998482839d8c9f9983889f9ec38e8280">[email protected]</span></a>; website <a href="http://aviationpartnersboeing.com">aviationpartnersboeing.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-2025-2275.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Illg, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: 206-231-3517;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f5c6e7d6e67214e21466363684f696e6e21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="184b796a79703659365174747f587e7979367f776e">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. The NPRM was published
in the Federal Register on September 8, 2025 (90 FR 43159). The NPRM
was prompted by an operator report indicating that during a maintenance
H-check inspection, a crack was found at the splice fitting between the
original wing and the Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) modified lower
wing skin panel, which is spliced at wing station (WS) 711 on a Boeing
Company Model 757-200 airplane with the APB blended winglets installed
in accordance with STC ST01518SE. APB reviewed the crack finding and
determined the existing airworthiness limitations (AWL) structural
significant items (SSI) 57-20-32B (which is required by AD 2020-01-18,
Amendment 39-19824 ((85 FR 5304, January 30, 2020); corrected February
26, 2020 (85 FR 10969)) (AD 2020-01-18)) does not provide adequate
probability of detection for foreseeable fatigue cracking of SSIs at WS
711. If cracks grow undetected, it may result in the inability of a
principal structural element to sustain limit loads. The FAA determined
that it is necessary to revise the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations for The Boeing Company Model 757-200 and -300
airplanes that have been modified in accordance with STC ST01518SE,
with or without blended or scimitar blended winglets installed. In the
NPRM, the FAA stated that incorporating the revision required by the
proposed AD would terminate the requirements of paragraphs (g) and
(h)(2) of AD 2020-01-18. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable,
to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking on the wing and
winglet. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the
inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit loads,
which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from three commenters, who supported the
NPRM without change.
The FAA received an additional comment from Aviation Partners
Boeing (APB). The following presents the comment received on the NPRM
and the FAA's response to the comment.
Request To Remove a Fax Number
APB requested that the FAA remove the fax number listed for APB
contact information in the Material Incorporated by Reference section
and paragraph (l)(3) of the proposed AD. APB stated that it no longer
has an active fax machine.
The FAA agrees and has removed the fax number in the Material
Incorporated by Reference section and paragraph (l)(3) of this AD
accordingly.
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 Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.2-0604.2 Supplement
to D622N001-9 (Sep 2020) 757 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document
Section 9 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification
Requirements (CMRs) Boeing 757-200 with Winglets FAA STC Number
ST01518SE and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision February 2022; and
Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.3-0604.2 Supplement to D622N001-9 (Sep
2020) 757 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document Section 9
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance
Requirements (CMRs) 757-300 with Blended Winglets FAA STC ST01518SE and
EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2022. This material specifies
airworthiness limitations for structural inspections, structural safe
life parts, systems, and certification maintenance requirements.
The FAA also reviewed Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.2-0604.2-DTR
Supplement to D622N001-DTR (Oct 2018) 757 Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR)
Check Form Document for Boeing 757-200 with Winglets FAA STC Number
ST01518SE and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2023; and
Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.3-0604.2-DTR Supplement to D622N001-DTR
(Oct 2018) 757 Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form Document for
Boeing 757-300 with Blended Winglets FAA STC Number ST01518SE and EASA
STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2023. This material provides the
DTR check forms and the procedure for their use.
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 156 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
The FAA has determined that revising 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 FAA estimates the average total cost per
operator to be
[[Page 23000]]
$7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting.................................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $0 $85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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:
2026-08-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23317; Docket No. FAA-
2025-2275; Project Identifier AD-2025-00796-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 3, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2020-01-18, Amendment 39-19824 ((85 FR 5304,
January 30, 2020); corrected February 26, 2020 (85 FR 10969)) (AD
2020-01-18).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200 and -300
series airplanes, certificated in any category, that have been
modified in accordance with supplemental type certificate (STC)
ST01518SE, with or without blended or scimitar blended winglets
installed.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks; 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking on the wing and winglet.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability of a
principal structural element to sustain limit loads, which could
adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision
(1) For Model 757-200 series airplanes: Within 30 days after the
effective date of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the service
information specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time
specified in the service information identified in paragraphs
(g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD, or within 6 months or 500 flight
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(i) Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.2-0604.2 Supplement to
D622N001-9 (Sep 2020) 757 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document
Section 9 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) Boeing 757-200 with Winglets FAA STC
Number ST01518SE and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision February
2022.
(ii) Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.2-0604.2-DTR Supplement to
D622N001-DTR (Oct 2018) 757 Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form
Document for Boeing 757-200 with Winglets FAA STC Number ST01518SE
and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2023.
(2) For Model 757-300 series airplanes: Within 30 days after the
effective date of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the service
information specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time
specified in the service information identified in paragraphs
(g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, or within 6 months or 500 flight
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
[[Page 23001]]
(i) Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.3-0604.2 Supplement to
D622N001-9 (Sep 2020) 757 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document
Section 9 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) 757-300 with Blended Winglets FAA
STC ST01518SE and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2022.
(ii) Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.3-0604.2-DTR Supplement to
D622N001-DTR (Oct 2018) 757 Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form
Document for Boeing 757-300 with Blended Winglets FAA STC Number
ST01518SE and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2023.
(3) The reports specified in the service information identified
in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD and (g)(2)(i) and (ii)
of this AD must be submitted within 10 days after the airplane is
returned to service, instead of 10 days after each individual
finding as specified in the service information identified in
paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD and (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of
this AD.
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals, may be used unless the
actions and intervals are approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (j) of this AD.
(i) Terminating Action for Paragraphs (g) and (h)(2) of AD 2020-01-18
Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) this AD
terminates the requirements specified in paragraphs (g) and (h)(2)
of AD 2020-01-18 for The Boeing Company Model 757-200 and -300
series airplanes that have been modified in accordance with STC
ST01518SE, with or without blended or scimitar blended winglets
installed.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-770, West Certification 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 West Certification Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1554585a56557374743b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d7969a989497b1b6b6f9b0b8a1">[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-
770, West Certification 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 previously for AD 2020-01-18; AD 2006-11-11
Amendment 39-14615 (71 FR 30278, May 26, 2006); and AD 2001-20-12,
Amendment 39-12460 (66 FR 52492, October 16, 2001); are approved as
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD, except for AMOCs
that included revised compliance times.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Sarah Illg, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712;
phone: 206-231-3517; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f4a79586959cdab5dabd989893b4929595da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6f5c7d4c7ce88e788efcacac1e6c0c7c788c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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) Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.2-0604.2 Supplement to
D622N001-9 (Sep 2020) 757 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document
Section 9 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) Boeing 757-200 with Winglets FAA STC
Number ST01518SE and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision February
2022.
(ii) Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.2-0604.2-DTR Supplement to
D622N001-DTR (Oct 2018) 757 Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form
Document for Boeing 757-200 with Winglets FAA STC Number ST01518SE
and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2023.
(iii) Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.3-0604.2 Supplement to
D622N001-9 (Sep 2020) 757 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document
Section 9 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) 757-300 with Blended Winglets FAA
STC ST01518SE and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2022.
(iv) Aviation Partners Boeing AP57.3-0604.2-DTR Supplement to
D622N001-DTR (Oct 2018) 757 Damage Tolerance Rating (DTR) Check Form
Document for Boeing 757-300 with Blended Winglets FAA STC Number
ST01518SE and EASA STC Number 10015659, Revision August 2023.
(3) For Aviation Partners Boeing material identified in this AD,
contact Aviation Partners Boeing, 555 Andover Park West, Suite 200,
Tukwila, WA 98188; telephone 206-830-7699; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cca0a9a2ab8cadbaa5adb8a5a3a2bcadbeb8a2a9bebfe2afa3a1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8c4cdc6cfe8c9dec1c9dcc1c7c6d8c9dadcc6cddadb86cbc7c5">[email protected]</span></a>; website <a href="http://aviationpartnersboeing.com">aviationpartnersboeing.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#94f2e6bafdfae7e4f1f7e0fdfbfad4faf5e6f5baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5234207c3b3c21223731263b3d3c123c3320337c353d24">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on April 23, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-08304 Filed 4-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 29, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.