Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Issuing agencies

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 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.

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 200 (Monday, October 19, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 200 (Monday, October 19, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65950-65952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21326]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-7233; Project Identifier AD-2026-00062-T; 
Amendment 39-23489; AD 2026-20-16]
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 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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:
    <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-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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f5c474e4e41015c014d5d4e5d6f494e4e01484059"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d5e454c4c43035e034f5f4c5f6d4b4c4c034a425b">[email&#160;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 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.

[[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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                             Labor cost           Parts cost     product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance records check or inspection...  3 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0          $255        $5,610
                                             = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 x $85 per hour =             $4,716             $5,226
                                              $510.
Replacement of fan cowl....................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =                * 0                170
                                              $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:
    (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:

2026-20-16 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.

[[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: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ffbeb2b0bcbf999e9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="df9e92909c9fb9bebef1b8b0a9">[email&#160;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.

(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#05766d64646b2b762b67776477456364642b626a73"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91e2f9f0f0ffbfe2bff3e3f0e3d1f7f0f0bff6fee7">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    (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 <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#ddbbaff3b4b3aeadb8bea9b4b2b39db3bcafbcf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f69084d89f9885869395829f9998b698978497d8919980">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on October 5, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-21326 Filed 10-16-26; 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>