# 2026-03612: FAA Proposes Sealant Checks for Boeing 787 Dreamliners

2026-03612, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-02-24, effective The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 10, 2026. (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03612
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-03612
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 8791
- Published: 2026-02-24
- Effective: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 10, 2026.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FAA Proposes Sealant Checks for Boeing 787 Dreamliners

## Summary

The FAA wants Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes checked because some sealant in their wing fuel tanks might not have been inspected properly during production. They’re proposing detailed inspections and tests to make sure everything sticks tight and safe. If you own or operate these planes, get ready for these checks soon—comments on the plan are open until April 10, 2026, and fixing issues could cost some time and money.

## Abstract

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that, during production, certain sealant installations within the center wing fuel tank did not receive required visual and adhesion inspections. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of certain sealant installations in the left, right, and center wing side-of-body areas, an adhesion test of the sealant, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mandatory 787 sealant inspections: cost, high. If you own or operate Boeing Model 787-8, 787-9, or 787-10 airplanes, the FAA would require a detailed inspection of certain sealant installations in the left, right, and center wing side-of-body areas and an adhesion test of that sealant, and you must perform any on-condition repairs per Boeing Al…
- Estimated inspection cost per aircraft: cost, high. The FAA estimates the inspection and adhesion test will take 34 work-hours at $85 per hour (labor cost $2,890) with $0 parts cost, so cost per airplane is $2,890 and the FAA estimates the AD would affect 60 U.S.-registered airplanes for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $173,400.
- On-condition repair costs uncertain: cost, medium. The FAA states it has received no definitive data to estimate costs for any on-condition repairs that may be required after the inspection, so affected operators may incur additional repair expenses beyond the $2,890 inspection estimate.
- Possible warranty coverage reduces operator cost: benefit, medium. Boeing states some or all costs of the proposed AD may be covered under warranty, which could reduce the out-of-pocket cost for affected operators.
- Safety goal: prevent fuel tank ignition: benefit, high. The FAA says the inspections are needed because missing visual and adhesion inspections during production could leave sealant defects that might create an ignition source inside the center wing fuel tank and increase the risk of a fuel tank explosion during a lightning strike; the AD is intended to…

## 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
- [2026-03612 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/24/2026-03612/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)
- [2026-03612 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-24/pdf/2026-03612.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-03610, Managing Senior Professional Performance](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03610)
- [Next: 2026-03619, Performance Appraisal for General Schedule, Prevailing Rate, and Certain Other…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03619)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03612 (as of 2026-06-11).