The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun the rulemaking process to mandate Boeing 787 horizontal stabilizers checks, with the regulator warning of misalignment of several parts inside the horizontal stabilizer. Misalignment at final assembly On November 22, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), warning 787 operators of potential horizontal stabilizer pivot pin lockring, outer pivot pin, and outboard spacer misalignment at final assembly. “One operator further reported a left side pivot assembly that did not have a visible gap between the outboard nut and trap fitting.
” A misaligned pivot pin lockring caused a pivot pin outboard space not to be set flush against the horizontal stabilizer’s pivot bearing and outboard washer, the FAA added. The regulator said that a decreased lateral load capacity could result in the loss of pivot pin retention parts, which, in turn, could result in the loss of the horizontal stabilizer. Stakeholders have until January 6, 2025, to submit their comments on the proposed airworthiness directive (AD).
At the time of publishing, no parties have commented on the NPRM. The American plane manufacturer wants to double its 787 output in the next two years. Affecting more than 1,000 787s According to the FAA’s estimates, the proposed directive would affect 145 787s registered in the US.
Ch-aviation data showed that US-based carriers, including American Airlines , Hawaiian Airlines , and United Airlines, operate 134 78.
