Federal Register #FAA-2026-3469

FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 757-200/300 Series – Structural Inspections Required

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the Department of Transportation, is proposing new airworthiness directives (ADs) for Boeing 757-200 and 757-300 series airplanes to address structural cracks associated with Air Cargo Equipment (ACE) cargo loading systems and fuselage frame splices. - Government Buyer: - Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service - OEM Highlight: - The Boeing Company is the primary OEM referenced - Products/Services Requested: - General visual inspection or maintenance records check of frames STA 640 to STA 840 (between stringers S21L/S23L and S21R/S23R) for repairs and on-condition actions - Repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) surface inspections of the same frames for cracks and on-condition actions - Inspection or maintenance record check for existing repairs and repetitive inspections of upper frames around the uppermost fastener common to the fail-safe chord at fuselage frame splices (for 757-300 series) - All inspections and actions must comply with Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0128 RB (dated September 17, 2025) - Scope and Quantities: - Estimated 122 U.S.-registered airplanes affected - Unique/Notable Requirements: - If cracks or repairs are found, operators must contact Boeing for repair instructions or alternative inspections - Compliance with the referenced Boeing bulletin is mandatory - No specific part numbers or hardware purchases; this is a maintenance and inspection requirement - Place of Performance/Delivery: - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198 - Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590

Description

The FAA proposes a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes due to a crack found in the frame during inspection of an airplane equipped with an Air Cargo Equipment (ACE) cargo loading system. The AD would require inspections or maintenance record checks for repairs and repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) surface inspections for cracks, with applicable on-condition actions. This aims to address the unsafe condition that could compromise the structural integrity of the airplane.

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