The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive (AD) requiring airlines to inspect the landing gear of certain Boeing 767 aircraft.
AD 2024-25-08 was issued on 8 January 2025, and now comes into effect from 12 February 2025. The FAA estimates that this AD affects 574 airplanes of U.S. registry.
This directive stems from a recent incident where a 767’s main landing gear collapsed during maintenance operations. The FAA’s investigation of the maintenance incident revealed improper grinding techniques during maintenance work.
Specifically, it appears that a grinder was used outside of its specified parameters, generating excessive heat. This excessive heat exposure compromised the integrity of the landing gear’s outer cylinder, a critical component for structural support.
The Scope of the Directive
The emergency order applies to all Boeing 767-200, -300, and -300F aircraft. Airlines must now conduct thorough inspections of their 767 landing gear systems as mandated by the directive.
These inspections will involve careful examination of the outer cylinders for any signs of heat damage, such as discoloration, cracking, or distortion.
The FAA is essentially issuing this AD to address any heat damage to the outer cylinder of the landing gear. This could result in the inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit load.
The failure could potentially lead to gear collapse resulting in loss of control of the airplane, and potential for off-runway excursion.
The AD requires the replacement of assemblies that display evidence of heat damage following the mandated inspection.
The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twinjet airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
It entered service in 1982 and has since become a popular choice for airlines worldwide. The Boeing 767 is renowned for its fuel efficiency, range, and versatility.
This makes it suitable for a variety of routes, from transcontinental flights to long-haul international journeys. Engineers have adapted the 767 for various other roles, including cargo transport and military applications.
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