FAA Orders Checks on Boeing 777 Fire-Prone Pumps
Published Date: 11/17/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make sure Boeing 777 planes stay safe after a motor pump overheated and caused a fire. They’re asking airlines to check or inspect certain parts and stop using any risky ones. Comments are open until January 2, 2026, so fixes can happen quickly without big costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Ban on installing ACMP part 731966
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any ACMP having part number 731966 on any airplane. The proposed rule expressly prohibits future installation of that specific part number.
Replacement can cost up to $77,099
If an inspection requires replacement, the FAA estimates replacement labor at 5 work-hours (5 x $85 = $425) plus parts costing up to $76,674, for a total replacement cost up to $77,099 per product. The FAA estimates the inspection will affect 340 U.S.-registered airplanes (inspection cost $170 each; total $57,800) but cannot predict how many will need replacement; the manufacturer says some or all costs may be covered under warranty.
Fix prevents ACMP-caused wheel-well fires
The AD responds to an incident where an overheated ACMP caused a fire in a main landing gear (MLG) wheel well after a missing lock washer and nut allowed continuous two-phase power to the pump. The FAA says the unsafe condition could cause a fire, damage to the airplane, loss of continued safe flight and landing, and/or personnel injury, and the AD aims to eliminate that risk.
Mandatory ACMP records check and inspection
Operators must do a records check or physical inspection for any alternating current motor pump (ACMP) with part number 731966, per Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-29A0047 RB dated September 11, 2025. The inspection triggers on-condition actions identified in that bulletin and must be done within the bulletin's compliance times as required by the proposed AD.
AD applies to entire Boeing 777 fleet
Although the Boeing bulletin limited effectivity to Model 777 airplanes with certain line numbers (1–1566 and 1568–1571), the proposed AD expands applicability to all Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes because the affected ACMPs are rotable parts that can move between airplanes.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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