FAA Warns of Boeing 767 Gear Collapse Risk

A Fedex 767 in Las Vegas [Credit: AirlineGeeks/ William Derrickson]

The FAA is requiring airlines to inspect landing gear on some Boeing 767s. An airworthiness directive was published Thursday and will go into effect February12.

According to the directive, operators will be required to inspect Boeing 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F jets. The order comes after a recent main gear collapse incident.

The collapse followed “maintenance where a grinder was operating outside of its input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage to the outer cylinder of the MLG,” the agency said.

Heat damage could limit the landing gear’s ability to sustain various loads.

“The FAA is issuing this AD to address any heat damage to the outer cylinder of the landing gear, which could result in the inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit load, gear collapse resulting in loss of control of the airplane, and potential for off-runway excursion,” the agency said.

Airlines will be required to inspect certain 767 landing gear outer cylinders for heat damage and replace them accordingly. Per Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, 570 U.S.-operated Boeing 767s are in service.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

AD Aircraft Maintenance Airworthiness Directive Boeing 767 FAA

Ryan EwingAuthor

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.