Federal Register #2026-07931

FAA Proposed Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 737 and Bombardier BD 700 Series Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing new and updated airworthiness directives for Boeing 737 series and Bombardier BD 700 series airplanes to address critical safety concerns. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation - OEMs Mentioned: - The Boeing Company (Boeing) - Bombardier Inc. - Products/Services Requested: - Inspections and corrective actions for Boeing 737 series (models 600, 700, 700C, 800, 900, 900ER) airplanes - Internal and external general visual inspections of fuselage skin, bear strap, gap cover, and stub frame near the forward galley door - Repetitive high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) and low-frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections for cracks - On-condition repairs or replacements as needed - Procedures per Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1383 RB, Revision 3 - Estimated 1,965 aircraft affected - Inspection and replacement of brake control units (BCU) for Bombardier BD 700-1A10 and BD 700-1A11 airplanes - Inspection to determine if affected BCU is installed - Replacement of affected units and prohibition of future installation - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Expands applicability to additional Boeing 737 models, including the 737-900ER - Requires both internal and external inspections, as well as advanced NDT (HFEC/LFEC) techniques - Mandates repetitive inspections and immediate corrective actions if cracks are found - Regulatory maintenance requirement, not a direct product procurement - Reference Documents: - Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1383 RB, Revision 3 - Key Locations: - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA - Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 2600 Westminster Blvd., Seal Beach, CA - Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, Canada

Description

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-02-13 for certain Boeing 737 series airplanes. The AD requires inspections of the fuselage skin and bear strap at the forward galley door for cracks and adds inspections for an extended inspection area. The proposed AD adds airplanes to applicability and aims to address unsafe conditions related to fuselage cracking to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. Comments on the proposal are due by June 8, 2026.

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