# 2026-00838: Boeing 757s Face Mandatory Winglet Crack Checks

2026-00838, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-16, effective 2026-02-20 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00838
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00838
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 2068
- Published: 2026-01-16
- Effective: 2026-02-20
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Boeing 757s Face Mandatory Winglet Crack Checks

## Summary

The FAA is requiring certain Boeing 757-200 and -300 airplanes with special winglets to get checked for cracks that could be unsafe. Starting February 20, 2026, owners must inspect specific parts and fix any problems found to keep flights safe. These inspections might cost some time and money but are crucial to prevent bigger issues down the runway.

## Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by cracking found during an inspection on an airplane equipped with Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) scimitar blended winglets. This AD requires performing a general visual inspection (GVI) or maintenance records check of certain stringers for an approved freeze plug repair, performing a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of the same area for any crack common to a certain stringer and a reinforcement strap, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Required Inspections for Boeing 757s: cost, high. If you own or operate certain Boeing 757-200 or -300 airplanes equipped with Aviation Partners Boeing scimitar blended winglets, you must, starting February 20, 2026, perform a general visual inspection or maintenance-records check and a high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of specific low…

## Related documents

- [2026-15585](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15585): Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems, 2026-07-31
- [2026-13440](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13440): Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight, 2026-07-02
- [2026-13126](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13126): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period, 2026-06-30
- [2026-08943](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08943): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility, 2026-05-06
- [2025-04846](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-04846): Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Territory and Airspace of Libya, 2025-03-20
- [2025-03853](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-03853): Enforcement Policy Regarding “Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees Located Outside of the United States; Corre…, 2025-03-11

## Sources
- [2026-00838 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/16/2026-00838/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)
- [2026-00838 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-16/pdf/2026-00838.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00837, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00837)
- [Next: 2026-00839, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00839)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00838 (as of 2026-06-11).