Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Published Date: 7/9/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants Boeing 747-400 and -8 airplane owners to check certain fuel tank pump parts regularly to keep flights safe. They’re updating rules to require more frequent inspections and fixing or replacing parts if needed. Comments on this plan are open until August 24, 2026, and these changes could mean some extra maintenance costs but will keep planes flying safely.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Repetitive inspections every 20,000 hours
If you operate Boeing Model 747-400 or -8 airplanes, the FAA would require repetitive detailed inspections of the horizontal stabilizer transfer pump housing inlet check valves and pump motor impeller inlet adapters. The rule requires initial inspection of the impeller inlet adapter within 1 year or 5,000 flight hours (whichever comes first) and repeat inspections at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight hours. The FAA estimates 18 work-hours per inspection at $85/hour = $1,530 per inspection per airplane and estimates the U.S. fleet cost at $47,430 per inspection cycle for 31 airplanes.
Potential on-condition replacement costs
If inspections find damage, the FAA identifies replacement costs: replacing a transfer pump motor impeller is estimated at $2,570 (2 labor hours at $85/hr plus parts up to $2,400); replacing a transfer pump housing inlet check valve (Option 1) is estimated at $1,970 (labor plus $1,800 parts); replacing the transfer pump housing (Option 2) could cost up to $20,170 (labor plus up to $20,000 parts). The FAA notes it cannot predict how many aircraft will need these replacements.
No wear allowed; initial compliance shortened
The FAA would remove the previously allowed 0.20-inch wear allowance for the transfer pump motor impeller inlet adapter and require that no level of wear is acceptable. The rule shortens the initial compliance time by requiring the first inspection within 1 year or 5,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first, to address uncertainty in fleet wear and progression.
Limit on installing affected Crane parts
As of the AD's effective date, you may not install Crane Aerospace Hydro-Aire horizontal stabilizer fuel transfer pump housings, transfer pump housing inlet check valves, or transfer pump motor impellers into the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank unless those parts have been inspected as required and determined to be serviceable per Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-28A2373 RB dated November 6, 2025. This limits when and which parts can be reinstalled during maintenance.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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