Federal Register #FAA-2026-8784

FAA proposes airworthiness directives for Boeing 787-8 cargo door frames and Rolls-Royce Trent engines

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the Department of Transportation, is proposing new airworthiness directives for Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes and Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Trent700072 and Trent700072C engines.
• Boeing Company is the primary OEM for the 787-8 airframe; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG is the OEM for the Trent engines.
• For Boeing 787-8:
  • The directive addresses concerns that large forward cargo door (LFCD) split frames may have been manufactured with nonconforming Ti-6Al-4V alloy material.
  • Operators must inspect LFCD split frames for affected batch numbers and replace any nonconforming frames with new ones made of the correct alloy.
  • The replacement kit includes all five LFCD split frames and associated hardware for the cargo door surround.
  • Compliance with Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B78781205SB53010600 RB, Issue 001, is required.
• For Rolls-Royce Trent700072 and Trent700072C engines:
  • The directive supersedes a previous AD, requiring initial and repetitive borescope inspections of high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades to detect axial cracking.
  • If cracks are found, the HPT blade set must be replaced.
• Four U.S.-registered Boeing 787-8 airplanes are affected by the cargo door directive.
• Unique requirements include batch number verification, use of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and adherence to specific Boeing and Rolls-Royce bulletins.

Description

The FAA proposes a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes due to concerns that large forward cargo door (LFCD) split frames may have been manufactured with nonconforming material. The proposed AD requires inspection of the LFCD split frames for affected batch numbers and applicable on-condition actions, including replacement with conforming material if necessary. This action aims to address the unsafe condition that could lead to structural failure and impede passenger and crew egress during rapid decompression. Comments on the proposal are due by October 5, 2026.

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