FAA Orders Boeing 767 Owners to Hunt Rust on Satellite Antennas
Published Date: 4/29/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to keep certain Boeing 767 airplanes safe by checking for rust on a special satellite antenna part. They’re asking owners to inspect this part regularly and fix any problems found. Comments on this plan are open until June 13, 2025, and these inspections could cost some time and money but will keep flights safer.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory SATCOM antenna corrosion inspections
The FAA proposes required repetitive detailed inspections of the SATCOM high gain antenna adapter plate on Boeing 767-200/300/300F/400ER airplanes to check for corrosion. If corrosion is found, the rule requires repairing the adapter plate when corrosion depth is less than or equal to 0.005 inch or replacing it when corrosion is greater than 0.005 inch. This action aims to prevent parts departing the airplane that could damage primary flight controls and cause loss of safe flight.
Compliance costs for operators
The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect 597 U.S.-registered Boeing 767 airplanes. Each required detailed inspection is estimated at 11 work-hours x $85/hour = $935 per inspection cycle per airplane (totaling $558,195 per inspection cycle across U.S. operators). If on-condition work is needed, repair is estimated at $425 (5 work-hours) and replacement is estimated at $18,170 (2 work-hours plus $18,000 parts). Comments on the proposal are due June 13, 2025.
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Key Dates
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