Boeing Pushes for Stricter Airworthiness Directive on 767 Wings

Boeing recently asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make its airworthiness directive for 767 wings stricter, but the FAA declined.

The directive covers 195 US-registered Boeing 767-300 and 767-300F aircraft fitted with blended winglets. The issue is fatigue cracking in the lower outboard wing skin, which could lead to failure of the wing and winglet, causing reduced control of the airplane.

Boeing requested that the new Group 3 inspections be completed within 3,000 flight cycles of the effective date, but the FAA rejected this proposal. Instead, it cited Aviation Partners' service information as adequate for addressing the issue.

This decision has raised concerns about the FAA's approach to safety. Boeing had asked for a stricter schedule, citing that the fleet finding showed additional inspection requirements were needed and the threshold to start inspections was not adequate.