# Federal Register #2026-20120

FAA directive requires repetitive fuselage-frame inspections on Boeing 757-300 aircraft

**Buyer:** Federal Aviation Administration (Department of Transportation)
**Posted:** October 01, 2026
**Identifier:** 2026-20120

The FAA issued a safety directive requiring inspections and corrective actions for affected Boeing 757-300 aircraft.
- **Government buyer and issuing office**
  - U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Continued Operational Safety Branch (AIR-520).
- **OEM**
  - **The Boeing Company** is the affected aircraft manufacturer and source of the referenced inspection procedures, Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0122 RB.
- **Affected aircraft and scope**
  - The directive applies to Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes; the estimated U.S.-registered fleet affected is 37 aircraft.
  - Required work includes checking for existing repairs, repetitive detailed inspections of specified upper fuselage-frame areas near frame splices, and applicable follow-up inspections or repairs if conditions are found.
  - The inspection areas are on both sides of the aircraft between stringers S-13 and S-14, from STA 1380 to STA 1620.
  - The directive corrects certain right-side stringer references and states that STC ST01518SE does not prevent compliance.
- **Other named organizations**
  - Aviation Partners Boeing and United Airlines were mentioned as commenters, not as vendors solicited for work.
- **Opportunity status**
  - This is a regulatory airworthiness action, not a procurement request; no products or services are being solicited.

### Description

The FAA is adopting a final airworthiness directive for all The Boeing Company Model 757-300 series airplanes. The directive requires an inspection or maintenance-record check for existing repairs, repetitive inspections of specified upper-frame areas for cracks, and applicable on-condition actions. It addresses inadequate inspection opportunities identified by crack-growth analysis and the risk of multiple upper-frame failures. The directive is effective November 5, 2026.

[View original listing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/01/2026-20120/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)