# 2026-03856: Boeing Planes Get Crackdown: FAA Orders Winglet Checks

2026-03856, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-02-26, effective 2026-02-26; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03856
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-03856
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 9441
- Published: 2026-02-26
- Effective: 2026-02-26
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Boeing Planes Get Crackdown: FAA Orders Winglet Checks

## Summary

The FAA just issued a new rule for certain Boeing 757-200 and -300 planes with scimitar blended winglets because cracks were found. Airlines must inspect these planes for cracks and fix any problems to keep flying safely. This rule starts February 26, 2026, and comments are open until April 13, 2026, so operators should act fast to avoid costly repairs later.

## 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 reported crack findings on airplanes with scimitar blended winglets. This AD requires inspections for cracks, and repair as applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Immediate Inspections Required for 757 Winglets: cost, medium. If you operate Boeing 757-200 or -300 airplanes with scimitar blended winglets, you must do an external detailed (visual) inspection and an external high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of the wing lower skin panel between wing station (WSTA) 711.5 and WSTA 743.5 on the left and right wing…
- Estimated Inspection Cost per Aircraft: cost, low. The FAA estimates the required detailed and HFEC inspections will take 2 work-hours at $85 per hour, for an estimated cost of $170 per airplane. The FAA estimates the rule affects 156 U.S.-registered airplanes, with a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $26,520.
- Repairs Before Flight; Unknown Repair Costs: cost, high. If an inspection finds any crack, the AD requires the airplane be repaired before further flight using an FAA-approved method. The FAA states it has no definitive data to estimate on-condition repair costs, and the unsafe condition could lead to reduced structural integrity or partial wing loss if…

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## Sources
- [2026-03856 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/26/2026-03856/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)
- [2026-03856 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-26/pdf/2026-03856.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-03844, Delegations of Authority](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03844)
- [Next: 2026-03872, Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03872)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03856 (as of 2026-06-11).