Quantcast

FAA mandates checks on Boeing 787 landing gear assemblies

Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK
EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer
Airlines not switching quickly enough to green jet fuel, study says
Alaska Airlines tech issue briefly grounds planes in Seattle, disrupts bookings on Cyber Monday
US Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Spirit’s Demise Is a Lesson in ‘Airline-o-nomics’
Inside BA’s new first-class suites: £800 an hour for most private seat
Focus: US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
Hawaiian Airlines Eliminates Widebody Route Amid Alaska Airlines Merger
US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?
Delta CEO says the Trump administration will reverse government ‘overreach’ seen under Biden
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy: How will it affect your travel plans?
British Airways yet to identify cause of latest IT meltdown
Delta Airlines Will Start Serving Shake Shack Cheeseburgers Next Month
United Sees Nearly 30% Surge in Travel to European Christmas Markets
Budget airline Israir to launch flights between Israel and NY, ending wartime monopoly by flagship carrier El Al
Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Spirit Airlines delays release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Delta investigating after plane’s nose mysteriously suffered damage
What Elon Musk's Starlink means for airlines
CAP OFF Major twist in Dublin Airport passenger cap row as High Court pauses decision in victory for airlines next summer season
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
FAA mandates checks on Boeing 787 landing gear assemblies
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive (AD) concerning the Boeing 787's main landing gear. This follows a report indicating that a mandatory inspection was not completed during the manufacturing process of drag brace lower lock link assemblies for the aircraft's main landing gear.

Operators are now required to check maintenance records or inspect whether specific drag brace lower links were installed on their aircraft. The FAA issued this directive despite one airline suggesting that a requirement bulletin (RB) was sufficient to address the issue.

The RB, identified as Boeing Alert RB B787-81205-SB320048-00, was released on November 20, 2023. It recommends inspections within 48 months of its issuance or within 48 months after the original airworthiness certificate was issued for potentially affected aircraft. If airlines discover affected part serial numbers in their assemblies, they must replace these parts within the same timeframe.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Before issuing this directive, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 1. Four stakeholders commented on it, including American Airlines and United Airlines. American Airlines argued that the directive was unnecessary since safety concerns were being addressed via the RB. However, the FAA disagreed with withdrawing the NPRM and stated: “Operators are not required to accomplish Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB320048-00 RB, Issue 001, dated November 20, 2023, until an AD mandates accomplishment.”

The regulator emphasized that undetected cracks could lead to fractures in the assembly, potentially causing collapse of the main landing gear and loss of directional control while on ground. This worst-case scenario could result in runway excursions and fuel tank penetration.

According to Boeing’s RB, line numbers between 6 and 1168 are affected by this bulletin. The FAA estimates that around 156 aircraft may be impacted by this directive. An inspection or records check will cost operators approximately $85 per aircraft. If replacement is necessary, it would take about 18 working hours and cost $40,649 per aircraft including parts expenses.

The effective date for this AD is December 31, 2024.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates has announced that the My Emirates Pass will be available throughout the year with seasonal offers in summer and winter.

Apr 3, 2025

United Airlines has announced the issuance of travel waivers for passengers whose flights were affected by closures at London Heathrow Airport.

Apr 2, 2025

ITA Airways announced that flight AZ806 managed to land safely after a brief hold due to nearby missile activity.

Apr 2, 2025

EVA Air has announced the reinstatement of its Premium Economy Class on the Seattle route, with three weekly flights scheduled from March 8 through July 27.

Apr 2, 2025

Emirates Airlines has announced the launch of a new door-to-door delivery service called 'Very Important Parcels' (VIPs), promising the same level of care as provided to its passengers.

Apr 2, 2025

Cargolux has announced the transportation of two lions, Tsar and Jamil, from captivity in Ukraine to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.

Apr 2, 2025