Boeing 717 Nose Gear at Risk: FAA Demands Crack Checks Now
Published Date: 4/29/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants all Boeing 717-200 airplanes to get regular checks on a part called the upper lock link assembly because it might crack and cause the nose landing gear to fail. This rule aims to keep flights safe by catching problems early. Owners should act soon since comments on this plan close by June 13, 2025, and fixing issues might cost some money but keeps everyone flying safely.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Required inspections and replacements for 717-200s
If you own or operate a Boeing Model 717-200 airplane, the FAA would require repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) inspections of the upper lock link assembly for cracks and replacement of any cracked assembly; replacing the assembly ends the repetitive inspections. The FAA estimates this AD would affect 117 U.S.-registered airplanes, with an inspection labor cost of 5 work‑hours × $85 = $425 per inspection cycle (total $49,725 per inspection cycle for U.S. operators), and an on-condition replacement cost per product of $18,584 (labor $765 and parts $17,819). Comments on the proposal are due June 13, 2025.
Reduces risk of nose-gear failure and runway excursion
The rule is intended to catch cracks in the upper lock link assembly that were linked to a nose landing gear-up landing; the NTSB found the failure was caused by non-conforming surface roughness (tool marks). By requiring inspections and replacement of cracked parts, the AD aims to prevent the nose landing gear from failing to extend during landing or remaining retracted while the main gear deploys, which also reduces the risk of restricted ground maneuverability and runway excursion.
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