Rule2026-11974
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
June 15, 2026
Effective
July 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
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 reports of an uncommanded change to the mode control panel (MCP) selected altitude. This AD requires replacing the existing MCP with an updated MCP and performing an installation test. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 114 (Monday, June 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35873-35876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11974]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 114 / Monday, June 15, 2026 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 35873]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3426; Project Identifier AD-2025-00342-T;
Amendment 39-23377; AD 2026-12-07]
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 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 reports of an uncommanded change to the mode
control panel (MCP) selected altitude. This AD requires replacing the
existing MCP with an updated MCP and performing an installation test.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 20, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 20,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3426; 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 <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-2025-3426.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Closson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3973; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#80cde9e3e8e1e5ecaed0aec3eceff3f3efeec0e6e1e1aee7eff6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f9b4909a91989c95d7a9d7ba95968a8a9697b99f9898d79e968f">[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 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. The NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on November 17, 2025 (90 FR 51225).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of an uncommanded change to the MCP
selected altitude. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing
the existing MCP with an updated MCP and performing an installation
test. The FAA is issuing this AD to address uncommanded changes to the
MCP selected altitude. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) or traffic conflict,
which may result in mid-air collision.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International, (ALPA), Boeing, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and United
Airlines who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from Etihad Airways and the
Citizens Rulemaking Alliance. The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Prohibit the Installation of Affected Parts
Etihad Airways requested that the FAA add a requirement to prohibit
the installation of MCP, part numbers (P/Ns) 4091640-901, 4091640-902,
and 4091640-903 as of the effective date of the AD.
The FAA does not agree that it is necessary to prohibit the
installation of the affected parts as of the effective date of the AD.
There are very few affected spares in operators' inventories because
the MCP is not typically replaced in service. Further, due to the
limited availability of new unaffected parts, a few new unaffected
parts will be made available to each affected operator. The FAA expects
that affected operators will likely remove and return an affected part
to the supplier for retrofit, and that the new unaffected part will be
installed on the airplane while the affected part is upgraded.
Therefore, no change to this AD is necessary in this regard.
Request To Justify Forgoing Notice and Comment or Reopen Comment Period
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
provide its justification for finding good cause to bypass notice, or
convert this action to an NPRM. The commenter asserted the FAA has not
adequately justified use of the good cause exemption.
The FAA notes the comment was submitted in response to an NPRM for
which the FAA provided a 45-day comment period. This final rule is
effective 35 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
Therefore, no change to this AD is necessary.
Request To Make Incorporation by Reference (IBR) Materials Reasonably
Available
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA make IBR
material available and free to the public during the comment period.
The commenter stated that the FAA should describe in the preamble of
the AD how the FAA has ensured IBR material is reasonably available in
accordance with 1 CFR 51.5 and 51.9.
[[Page 35874]]
The FAA notes that in the preamble of the NPRM, the public was
notified that the IBR material would be available for review under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3426 at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. This material was posted
to the AD docket on November 17, 2025. Therefore, no change to this AD
is necessary.
Request To Comply With the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA revise the
AD to comply with the PRA. The commenter asserted that many ADs
applicable to Boeing airplanes do not comply with the PRA.
The FAA notes this AD does not require reporting. If an AD were to
require reporting, the preamble of the AD would include a paragraph
titled ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' that would provide the applicable
OMB control number, required PRA statements, and the estimated time to
collect the required information (burden). Any costs associated with
the reporting requirement would be included in the Costs of Compliance
section in the preamble of the AD. Therefore, the FAA did not change
this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Consider Impact on Small Entities
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
prepare an initial regulatory flexibility analysis, or provide the
factual basis for its Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) certification
that the AD will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The FAA provides the following clarification. The RFA of 1980 (5
U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121) and the Small
Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-240), requires Federal agencies
to consider the effects of the regulatory action on small business and
other small entities and to minimize any significant economic impact.
The term ``small entities'' comprises small businesses and not-for-
profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are
not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with
populations of less than 50,000. The FAA analyzed the cost impact of
this AD on small entities and determined the following:
Small Entities to Which the Rule Will Apply
The FAA used the definition of small entities in the RFA for this
analysis. The RFA defines small entities as small businesses, small
governmental jurisdictions, or small organizations. In 5 U.S.C. 601(3),
the RFA defines ``small business'' to have the same meaning as ``small
business concern'' under section 3 of the Small Business Act. The Small
Business Act authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to
define ``small business'' by issuing regulations.
SBA (2023) has established size standards for various types of
economic activities, or industries, under the North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS). These size standards generally define
small businesses based on the number of employees or annual receipts.
The ``Small Business Size Standards'' table shows the SBA size
standards for all industries with at least 1 impacted entity.\1\ Note
that the SBA definition of a small business applies to the parent
company and all affiliates as a single entity.
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\1\ FAA does not have entity data on 1 of the 135 affected
airplanes, and those airplanes with missing entity data are excluded
from this analysis.
Small Business Size Standards
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NAICS code Description Size standard
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481111........................ Scheduled Passenger 1,500 employees.
Air Transportation.
523910........................ Miscellaneous $41.5 million.
Intermediation.
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To identify small entities, the FAA first identified the primary
NAICS of the entity or parent company, and then used data from
different sources (e.g., company annual reports, Bureau of
Transportation Statistics) to determine whether the entity meets the
applicable size standard. The ``Estimated Number of Small Entities''
table provides a summary of the results.
Estimated Number of Small Entities
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Percent of
Category Number of Affected Number of small entities
entities airplanes small entities (%)
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Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation.......... 3 133 0 0
Miscellaneous Intermediation.................... 1 1 1 100
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Total....................................... 4 134 1 25
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Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements
FAA estimates the affected entity will incur a compliance cost of
up to $405,170. However, the FAA notes that the manufacturer of the MCP
(Honeywell) has stated that some or all of the costs of retrofitting
the MCP to P/N 4091640-904 may be covered under warranty, thereby
reducing the cost impact on the affected operator. If a part is
retrofitted, purchasing a new part is unnecessary. The ``Average Cost
of Compliance Per Small Entity'' table displays the estimated
compliance cost for the miscellaneous intermediation industry.
[[Page 35875]]
Average Cost of Compliance per Small Entity
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Affected Average Average per-entity
NAICS code Description small annual impact (cost/
entities revenue revenue) (%)
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523910............................ Miscellaneous Intermediation. 1 $1,920,000 21.1
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Significant Alternatives Considered
FAA evaluated the alternative of not promulgating this AD but
ultimately deemed that this alternative would create a significant
safety hazard. The FAA is issuing this AD to address uncommanded
changes to the MCP selected altitude. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in CFIT or traffic conflict, which may result
in mid-air collision.
Request To Provide Additional Cost Information
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA add to the
AD docket the cost assumptions (fleet size, labor rates, parts costs,
and airplane downtime) supporting the FAA's certification that this AD
is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866.
The commenter also stated that the AD should specify whether the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) applies.
In the Costs of Compliance section of the proposed AD, the FAA
disclosed the number of affected airplanes on the U.S. registry,
estimated number of work hours and parts costs provided by the
manufacturer, and the aggregate costs. Additionally, the FAA considered
the impact that this AD will have on affected operators and determined
this AD will not trigger any downtime costs because the requirements of
this AD can be performed during regularly scheduled maintenance. Since
the FAA has assessed and disclosed the total known costs of the AD
requirements in the Costs of Compliance section of the proposed AD, and
the commenter did not provide additional cost data for the FAA to
consider in its cost analysis, it is not necessary to provide
additional information in the AD docket.
Further, the FAA has determined that the current labor rate of $85
per hour remains accurate for this AD. The FAA evaluates this rate
periodically, based on U.S. Department of Labor Statistic (BLS) data
found at <a href="https://data.bls.gov/oes">https://data.bls.gov/oes</a>, and will change the rate when
appropriate. The FAA used a blended wage rate to estimate the labor
rate for this AD, where the FAA assumes 60 percent weight for aircraft
mechanics (at a fully burdened mean wage rate of $69.85 per hour) and
40 percent for general and operations managers (at a fully burdened
mean wage rate of $108.15 per hour). To calculate the blended wage
rate, the FAA multiplied each wage rate by its corresponding weight and
added up the products to obtain a wage rate of $85.17, which the FAA
rounded down to $85.
Based upon the analysis provided throughout the proposed AD and in
the previous comment response, the FAA certifies that this AD is not a
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866. The FAA
did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB220004-00 RB, Issue 001, dated April 22, 2025. This material
specifies procedures for replacing the existing MCP P/Ns 4091640-901,
4091640-902, and 4091640-903 with MCP P/N 4091640-904 and performing
the MCP installation test until the test passes.
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 163 airplanes of U.S.
registry, of which 28 are registered to 2 foreign air carriers. 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MCP replacement and 2 work-hours x Up to $405,000 * Up to $405,170.. Up to $66,042,710.
installation test. $85 per hour =
$170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This is the estimated cost for a replacement MCP. However, the FAA notes that the manufacturer of the MCP
(Honeywell) has stated that some or all of the costs of retrofitting the MCP to part number 4091640-904 may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators. If a part is retrofitted,
purchasing a new part is unnecessary.
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.
[[Page 35876]]
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:
2026-12-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23377; Docket No. FAA-
2025-3426; Project Identifier AD-2025-00342-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 20, 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, as identified in
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB220004-00 RB, Issue
001, dated April 22, 2025.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto flight.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of an uncommanded change to the
mode control panel (MCP) selected altitude. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address uncommanded changes to the MCP selected altitude. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in controlled
flight into terrain (CFIT) or traffic conflict, which may result in
mid-air collision.
(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 B787-81205-SB220004-00 RB, Issue 001,
dated April 22, 2025, do all applicable actions identified in, and
in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB220004-00 RB, Issue 001, dated
April 22, 2025.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
B787-81205-SB220004-00, Issue 001, dated April 22, 2025, which is
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB220004-00 RB, Issue 001, dated April 22, 2025.
(h) Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications
Where the Boeing Recommended Compliance Time column of the table
in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements
Bulletin B787-81205-SB220004-00 RB, Issue 001, dated April 22, 2025,
refers to the Issue 001 date of Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-
SB220004-00 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 certification office,
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#b6f7fbf9f5f6d0d7d798d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d495999b9794b2b5b5fab3bba2">[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 Michael Closson,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3973; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#612c08020900040d4f314f220d0e12120e0f210700004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d60444e454c4841037d036e41425e5e42436d4b4c4c034a425b">[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 B787-81205-SB220004-00
RB, Issue 001, dated April 22, 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#2442560a4d4a57544147504d4b4a644a4556450a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="167064387f7865667375627f7978567877647738717960">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on June 10, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-11974 Filed 6-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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