2026-03782Proposed Rule

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.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this regulation affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Key Dates

Published Date
Comments Due
2/25/2026
4/13/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Transportation Department
Federal Aviation Administration
Source: View HTML

Related Federal Register Documents

Previous / Next Documents

Back to Federal Register

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in