FAA Proposes Crack Checks for Boeing 757 Cargo Area Frames
Published Date: 4/2/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make sure certain Boeing 757-200 airplanes stay safe by checking for cracks in the front cargo area frames, especially those with special cargo loading gear. They’re asking airlines to inspect or review maintenance records and do regular crack checks to catch problems early. Comments on this plan are open until May 18, 2026, and these inspections could mean some extra work and costs for operators.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Inspections Required for 757-200 Frames
If you operate Boeing Model 757-200 airplanes with Air Cargo Equipment (ACE) cargo loading provisions, the FAA proposes mandatory inspections of frames from station (STA) 640 to STA 840 between stringers S-21L–S-23L and S-21R–S-23R. The rule would require a general visual inspection or maintenance records check and repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) surface inspections per Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0128 RB (dated September 17, 2025); comments are due May 18, 2026. The FAA estimates this would affect 122 U.S.-registered airplanes and would cost up to $1,870 per airplane for the visual/records check (up to 22 work-hours at $85/hour) and $680 per airplane per HFEC inspection cycle (8 work-hours at $85/hour).
Prevents Structural Failure Risk
The FAA proposes this AD because a crack was found in a forward-cargo-frame area on a 757-200 equipped with ACE cargo loading provisions; the inspections are meant to find cracks in frames from STA 640 to STA 840 so the frame inner chord can sustain limit load. If adopted, the inspections and required repairs aim to reduce the risk that undetected cracks could grow and threaten the airplane's structural integrity.
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