[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 126 (Thursday, July 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40360-40363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-13474]
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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;
Amendment 39-23385; AD 2026-13-03]
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 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings
located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. This AD requires
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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 6, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publications listed in this AD as of August 6,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov 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 final rule, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket
[[Page 40361]]
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
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 myboeingfleet.com.
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 regulations.gov 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: [email protected].
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 747-8F series airplanes. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on November 17, 2025 (90 FR 51227). The NPRM was
prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings
located at stringer splices at multiple body stations. In the NPRM, the
FAA proposed to 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from an individual who supported the NPRM
without change.
The FAA also received comments from the Citizens Rulemaking
Alliance. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Justify Forgoing Notice and Comment or Issue an NPRM
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
provide its justification for finding good cause to bypass notice and
comment procedures, or convert this action to an NPRM and bifurcate the
urgent and non-urgent elements. The commenter asserted the FAA has not
adequately justified use of the good cause exemption to bypass notice
and comment and the 30-day delayed effective date.
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 and
add the IBR materials to the AD docket.
In the preamble of the NPRM, the FAA notified the public that the
IBR material would be available for review under Docket No. FAA-2025-
4000 at regulations.gov. This material was posted to the AD docket on
November 19, 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. If reporting is not required, the commenter
requested the FAA clarify that in the AD.
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 conclusion that the AD will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
The FAA identified two carriers affected by this AD. Based on the
Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard shown in the table
below, both entities are classified as large businesses.
Small Business Size Standards \1\
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NAICS \2\ code Description Size standard
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481212.......................... Nonscheduled 1,500 employees.
Chartered Freight
Air
Transportation.
492110.......................... Couriers and 1,500 employees.
Express Delivery
Services.
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\1\ Source: sba.gov: Table of Small Business Size Standards (2023).
\2\ North American Industrial Classification System.
Under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), if an
agency determines that a rulemaking will not result in a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, the head of
the agency may certify. Therefore, as provided in section 605(b) and
based on the foregoing, the head of FAA certifies that this AD will not
result in a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this
comment.
Request To Provide Additional Cost Information
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA supplement
the economic analysis to reflect realistic costs for parts, labor,
airplane downtime, and repetitive action costs and confirm the AD is
not significant under Executive Order 12866. The commenter stated that
the FAA omitted indirect costs such as airplane downtime, repetitive
actions, engineering development of alternative methods of compliance,
supply chain constraints, and training and operational disruptions. The
commenter also stated that the AD should specify whether the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) threshold is met.
[[Page 40362]]
The FAA notes that in preamble of the proposed AD, the FAA
certified that this regulation is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866, which means, in part, that the
regulation will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100
million or more. Further, in the Costs of Compliance section of the
proposed AD, the FAA disclosed that the required inspections are
estimated to cost U.S. operators up to $344,080, per airplane. The
repetitive inspections are estimated to cost $85 per inspection area,
every 48 or 96 months, depending on findings.
The FAA recognizes that, in doing the actions required by an AD,
operators might incur indirect costs in addition to the direct costs.
The cost analysis in an AD typically does not include indirect costs
since the FAA lacks data on those costs, and they vary significantly
among operators. Since the FAA has assessed and disclosed all 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, the FAA determined that the
existing analysis is complete. 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 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 11 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this 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
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need these actions:
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 $809................... $26,309 per
per hour = $25,500. replacement.
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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 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
[[Page 40363]]
(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:
2026-13-03--Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23385; Docket No. FAA-2025-
4000; Project Identifier AD-2025-00440-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 6, 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:
[email protected]. 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: [email protected].
(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 myboeingfleet.com.
(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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on June 18, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-13474 Filed 7-1-26; 8:45 am]
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