Boeing Planes Face Mandatory Checks After Scary Nose Gear Mishap
Published Date: 11/28/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 2, 2026, all Boeing 717-200 airplanes must get regular checks on a part called the upper lock link assembly to prevent landing gear problems. This rule comes after a scary incident where the nose gear failed during landing. Airlines will need to inspect and fix this part as needed to keep flights safe and smooth.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
FAA cost estimates for compliance
The FAA estimates the AD affects 117 U.S.-registered 717-200 airplanes. The ETHF inspection is estimated at 5 work-hours × $85/hour = $425 per inspection cycle (totaling $49,725 per inspection cycle across U.S. operators). If replacement is required, the FAA estimates 9 work-hours × $85/hour = $765 labor plus $17,819 parts, for a total replacement cost of $18,584 per product.
Reduces risk of nose-gear failure
The AD is issued to address an unsafe condition that caused a nose landing gear-up landing; it requires inspections and corrections to reduce the risk that a nose gear will fail to extend or remain retracted during landing, which could increase the risk of a runway excursion. The safety requirement aims to make flights on Boeing 717-200 airplanes safer.
Mandatory inspections for 717-200
If you operate Boeing Model 717-200 airplanes, starting January 2, 2026 you must perform repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) inspections of the upper lock link assembly per Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 717-32A0043 RB, dated February 12, 2025. The inspections are required to detect cracking and you must do on-condition actions (including replacement) as specified in the bulletin.
Inspection interval set at 4,800 cycles
The rule requires a repetitive inspection interval of 4,800 flight cycles for the upper lock link assembly; replacement of the assembly with a serviceable part terminates the repetitive inspections. The interval was calculated from crack growth analysis and provides two inspection opportunities between detectability and instability.
New parts made after 2001 exempted
The FAA exempts upper lock link assemblies that were manufactured after December 31, 2001 from the AD's overhaul requirement and includes parts manufactured after that date in the definition of a serviceable assembly. That means assemblies made after December 31, 2001 do not have to be overhauled to be considered serviceable under this AD.
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