FAA to Boeing Pilots: Peek at Those Landing Gear Cracks Regularly
Published Date: 2/25/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants Boeing 777 pilots and maintenance crews to regularly check certain landing gear parts for cracks and damage to keep flights safe. These inspections will happen over and over, and if problems pop up, fixes must be done right away. Comments on this plan are open until April 13, 2026, and while it might cost some time and money, it’s all about keeping planes flying safely.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated inspection cost per airplane and fleet
The FAA estimates each repetitive inspection cycle takes 35 work-hours at $85 per hour, costing $2,975 per airplane per inspection cycle. The agency estimates the rule would affect 311 U.S.-registered airplanes, for a total estimated cost of $925,225 per inspection cycle across the U.S. fleet.
Possible replacement expense for cracked parts
If inspections find a cracked MLG support beam lower stabilizer brace aft fitting, operators must replace it and follow post-replacement inspections. The FAA estimates replacement requires 41 work-hours at $85 per hour and identifies parts cost of $17,065 for that replacement.
Inspections reduce severe landing-gear failure risk
The FAA says cracks in the MLG support beam lower stabilizer brace aft fitting could lead to the main landing gear collapsing, potential fuel-tank breach, and possible fire or explosion. Repetitive inspections and repairs aim to reduce the risk of MLG collapse during takeoff, landing, or ground operations and improve flight safety for passengers and crews.
Mandatory 777 landing-gear inspections
If you operate or maintain Boeing 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, or 777F airplanes, the FAA would require repetitive inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) support beam lower stabilizer brace aft fittings and related parts per Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 777-57A0128 RB, dated June 2, 2025. The inspections include detailed checks and either open-hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections or ultrasonic inspections, and any cracked parts must be repaired or replaced and then reinspected.
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