# 2026-00839: Boeing 787s to Inspect Cargo Barriers for Titanium Flaws

2026-00839, 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/2026-00839
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00839
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 2066
- 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 787s to Inspect Cargo Barriers for Titanium Flaws

## Summary

The FAA is making sure certain Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 airplanes are safe by checking if some cargo barrier parts were made with the wrong titanium. Starting February 20, 2026, these planes must get special inspections using high-tech tools, and if problems are found, fixes are required. This keeps flights safe without causing big delays or costs for airlines.

## Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-9 and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple supplier notices of escapement (NOEs) indicating that multiple cargo barrier fitting links were possibly manufactured with an incorrect titanium alloy material. This AD requires a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) or handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer inspection of the cargo barrier fitting link to determine the titanium alloy material and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mandatory inspections for 787-9/787-10: cost, low. Starting February 20, 2026, certain Boeing Model 787-9 and 787-10 airplanes must have the cargo barrier fitting links inspected using a high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) or handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer according to the Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin referenced in the AD.
- Replacement required for wrong titanium parts: cost, high. If the inspection finds a fitting link made from the incorrect titanium alloy, the AD requires replacing that fitting link with a new part manufactured from Ti-6Al-4V alloy; replacement labor is estimated at 1 work-hour and parts cost up to $2,010 (up to $2,095 total per product).
- Scale and estimated compliance cost: mixed, low. The FAA estimates the AD affects 25 U.S.-registered airplanes; the inspection cost is estimated at $85 per airplane and $2,125 total for U.S. operators, and the FAA notes some or all costs may be covered under warranty.
- Risk of failure and safety mitigation: benefit, high. The AD responds to reports that some cargo barrier fitting links may have been made with the wrong titanium alloy; if not fixed, those links could fail during a rapid decompression in the aft fuselage and could damage the aft electronic equipment bay and result in loss of continued safe flight and…

## 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
- [2026-00839 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/16/2026-00839/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)
- [2026-00839 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-16/pdf/2026-00839.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00838, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00838)
- [Next: 2026-00840, 2023 Quarterly Listings; Third Quarter; Safety Zones, Security Zones, and Speci…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00840)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00839 (as of 2026-06-11).