Boeing 787 Wing Fixes Proposed to Enhance Flight Safety
Published Date: 3/18/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly or fix Boeing 787 planes, listen up! The FAA wants to update safety rules by swapping out a part on the wing’s leading edge to keep flights safer and add new maintenance checks. These changes keep all the old safety steps but add new ones, and comments are open until May 4, 2026—so there’s time to weigh in before any costs or work changes kick in.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Required Wing Actuator Replacement
If you operate Boeing 787-8/9/10 airplanes identified in the Boeing bulletin, you must replace the leading edge outboard geared rotary actuator (GRA) with a leading edge outboard lockout actuator (LEOLA) at slat 2 and slat 11 locations. The FAA estimates parts cost $31,610 and 9 work-hours at $85/hour ($765) per airplane, for a total cost per airplane of $32,375; the FAA estimates this would affect 174 U.S.-registered airplanes for a U.S. operators cost of $5,633,250.
Maintenance Program Revision Cost Per Operator
Each affected operator must revise its maintenance or inspection program to incorporate a new certification maintenance requirement (27-CMR-14). The FAA estimates revising the maintenance/inspection program takes 90 work-hours per operator at $85/hour, for an average total cost per operator of $7,650.
Addresses Unsafe Slat Condition To Improve Safety
The FAA proposes this AD to address a condition where the leading edge outboard slat system could be out of position without flight deck annunciation, which the FAA says could result in insufficient lift and inability to maintain continued safe flight and landing. Requiring the replacement and checks is intended to mitigate that unsafe condition.
Retained Repetitive Checks and AFM Revision
The proposed AD retains repetitive operational checks and an AFM (airplane flight manual) revision from the prior AD. The FAA estimates each repetitive operational check costs 8 work-hours × $85 = $680 per check and reports a total cost to U.S. operators of $118,320 per operational check; the AFM revision is estimated at 1 work-hour × $85 = $85 per airplane, with a total U.S. operators cost of $14,790.
Who Must Comply and Comment Deadline
This proposed AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB270055-00 RB, Issue 002, dated November 25, 2024. The FAA will accept comments on the proposed AD until May 4, 2026.
Manufacturer Warranty May Reduce Costs
The FAA notes that, according to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of the proposed AD may be covered under warranty, which could reduce the cost impact on affected operators.
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