FAA Mandates Boeing 737 Elevator Bearing Inspections
Published Date: 9/21/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make sure certain Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 planes are super safe by checking if some elevator parts were put together right. They’re asking for inspections to spot cracks or missing sealant on bearings and fixing any problems found. Plane owners need to act soon, with comments due by November 5, 2026, and this could mean some inspection costs but keeps flights safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory 737 elevator bearing inspections
If you operate Boeing Model 737-8, 737-9, or 737-8200 airplanes, the FAA proposes required detailed inspections of the elevator buss assembly bearings and bearing housings per Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-27A1331 RB (dated December 17, 2025). The FAA estimates this inspection takes 23 work-hours at $85/hour, costing $1,955 per airplane and would affect 95 U.S.-registered airplanes.
Potential repair and replacement costs
If inspections find problems, operators may incur on-condition costs: a push-out load test estimated at $85; bearing replacements estimated at $1,105, $1,170, or $1,809 depending on part number; or replacing an elevator buss assembly at an estimated $98,496. The FAA states it cannot predict how many airplanes will need these on-condition actions and notes some costs may be covered under warranty.
Addresses unsafe elevator condition
The FAA says bearings may have been installed incorrectly or without sealant, which can cause cracking and premature failure of elevator buss assembly crank arms. Fixing this unsafe condition is intended to prevent impacts to elevator pitch control that could affect continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
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