2026-22318·DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Final RuleFinal Rule

Published: Nov 2, 2026
Effective: Dec 7, 2026
Citation: 91 FR 68877
Docket: Docket No. FAA-2026-1322, Project Identifier AD-2025-01665-T, Amendment 39-23507
Agencies: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, Federal Aviation Administration

Final rule.

Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing a new airworthiness directive that requires operators of Boeing 787‑8, 787‑9, and 787‑10 aircraft to perform a detailed visual inspection of sealant installations in the left, right, and center wing side‑of‑body areas, followed by an adhesion test of the sealant. The directive was prompted by a production‑stage discovery that some sealant work in the center wing fuel tank was installed without the mandatory visual and adhesion checks, creating a potential safety risk. If the sealant fails the adhesion test, the directive also mandates corrective actions to ensure the integrity of the fuel tank. The rule was finalized by the Department of Transportation’s FAA and applies to all U.S. and foreign operators of the specified Boeing 787 models. It was published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2026 and becomes effective on December 7, 2026. Because this is a final rule, the comment period has already closed and no further public input is being solicited; airlines and maintenance organizations must now comply with the inspection and any required repairs.

AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.

Official abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that, during production, certain sealant installations within the center wing fuel tank did not receive required visual and adhesion inspections. This AD requires a detailed inspection of certain sealant installations in the left, right, and center wing side-of-body areas, an adhesion test of the sealant, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.