FAA Proposed Airworthiness Directive for Boeing 747-8 Fuselage Inspections
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This proposal would require certain Boeing 747-8 operators to repeatedly inspect part of the fuselage skin lap splice for cracks. The FAA is responding to reported cracking near the upper fastener row between specific fuselage stations and stringers. Airlines, aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and Boeing fleet managers would need to plan high frequency eddy current inspections and carry out required follow-up repairs or actions if cracks are found. Comments are due by July 23, 2026.
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Key Changes
- Requires repetitive external high frequency eddy current inspections on certain Boeing 747-8 airplanes
- Targets cracks in the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice
- Requires follow-up repair or other actions if cracks are detected
Obligations
What this law requires
Submit any comments on the proposed airworthiness directive for Boeing 747-8 series airplanes to the FAA docket using an accepted submission method by the stated comment deadline.
If the proposed AD is adopted, perform repetitive external surface high frequency eddy current inspections of the upper fastener row of the fuselage skin lap splice on affected Boeing 747-8 series airplanes to detect cracks.
If cracks are found during the required HFEC inspections, carry out the applicable on-condition corrective actions or repairs specified for the affected Boeing 747-8 airplane.