FAA Targets Cracks in Boeing 767 Wings with New Inspections
Published Date: 1/26/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating safety rules for certain Boeing 767-300 planes to catch and fix cracks in the lower wing skin. This update adds more planes to the list, especially those with special winglets removed, and requires extra inspections to keep flights safe. Owners should act before March 12, 2026, to avoid costly repairs and keep their planes flying smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory Wing Skin Inspections
If you operate certain Boeing 767-300 or -300F airplanes, the FAA would require high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the lower outboard wing skin and repairs if cracks are found. For Group 3 airplanes the rule would require initial internal and external HFEC inspections at the time specified in the service bulletin or within 3,000 flight cycles after the AD's effective date, and any crack must be repaired before further flight.
FAA Cost Estimates and Repair Charges
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 195 U.S.-registered airplanes. The estimated labor cost is $85 per hour: HFEC inspections are 6 work-hours ($510) per inspection cycle, internal/external HFEC inspections for Group 3 are 3 work-hours ($255) per inspection cycle, a repair/modification is estimated at 262 work-hours ($22,270), and post-repair inspections are estimated at $510 per cycle.
Expanded Applicability to STC ST01920SE
The proposed AD adds airplanes that were modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST01920SE to the list of affected models, even if the STC winglets were later removed. If your airplane was ever modified under STC ST01920SE, you must follow the inspections and any required repairs in this AD.
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