- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an updated directive targeting cracking issues in all Boeing 777 airplanes.
- Errors in Boeing’s initial directive led to a new "unsafe condition," and the company did not provide complete documentation until late July 2023.
- The FAA proceeded with the new directive due to public safety concerns, even as Boeing intends to make revisions to its initial bulletin.
Boeing to Revise Bulletin Amid New FAA Directive on 777s
WASHINGTON D.C. —In an update related to Boeing 777 airplanes, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has posted a revised airworthiness directive, citing a reported crack in the front spar lower chord of the aircraft. The FAA notice indicated that earlier errors in Boeing's directive had inadvertently introduced a new unsafe condition related to fastener cap seals.
Boeing initially flagged errors in its bulletin in late 2022. However, the FAA announced that complete and detailed documentation of these errors only became available in late July 2023. The delay, as the FAA points out, was due to the intricate and extensive requirements of the initial bulletin issued by Boeing.
Although Boeing is planning to amend its bulletin, the FAA decided to issue its updated directive before these revisions could be finalized. According to the agency, the time required to make the necessary adjustments would exceed what public safety considerations permit.
In a response, a Boeing spokesperson stated that the company fully supports the FAA's updated rule. The new directive is in alignment with the guidance Boeing had previously shared with aircraft operators, the spokesperson added.
