The Federal Aviation Administration has adopted an airworthiness directive requiring operators of certain Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes to replace the coaxial cables serving the low range radio altimeter system. The directive, AD 2026-22-09, was published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2026, and takes effect December 14, 2026.
The agency said the action followed reports that the radio altimeter system showed an increased rate of non-computed data outputs at low altitudes during approach and landing, which could make the altimeter unreliable. If not addressed, the FAA said, the condition could result in loss of continued safe flight and landing. The fix replaces the left and right transmit and receive cables with larger gauge cables.
The FAA estimates the directive affects 169 airplanes on the U.S. registry. It puts the work at 31 work-hours per airplane at $85 per hour, plus $15,170 in parts, for a cost of $17,805 per airplane and $3,009,045 across U.S. operators. The agency noted that some or all costs may be covered under warranty.
Operators have a five-year compliance period. American Airlines asked for more time, stating that Boeing quoted a lead time of more than 500 days for the cables, and Turkish Airlines also cited kit supply problems. The FAA declined to extend the deadline but said it will consider individual extension requests backed by data. The Foundation for Aviation Safety questioned whether five years was necessary for the work. The Air Line Pilots Association and Boeing supported the proposal without changes.
The proposal was first published on February 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register -- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-09/html/2026-22817.htm