EASA AD US-2022-02-16
SUPERSEDED BY FAA AD 2023-12-10
Summary
FAA Airworthiness Directive 2022-02-16 is a final rule addressing all Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. It responds to interference issues caused by 5G C-Band wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band that affect radio altimeters and related airplane systems during landing. This directive mandates revisions to the airplane flight manual to incorporate new limitations and operating procedures to mitigate risks associated with degraded deceleration performance and longer landing distances.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces requirements to revise the limitations and operating procedures sections of the Boeing 787 flight manual. It prohibits certain landings and use of specific minimum equipment list items when 5G C-Band interference is present, as indicated by Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). The AD also mandates procedures for calculating landing distances under these interference conditions to ensure safe operations.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because 5G C-Band interference can cause multiple airplane systems to fail to transition properly from AIR to GROUND mode during landing, leading to reduced thrust reverser and speedbrake effectiveness and increased idle thrust. Operators and maintenance teams must understand these impacts to prevent degraded deceleration performance, increased landing distances, and potential runway excursions, especially on contaminated runways. Compliance ensures continued safe flight and landing operations under new spectrum usage conditions.
What To Do
Operators of Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes must revise their airplane flight manuals to include the new limitations and procedures specified in FAA AD 2022-02-16. They must comply with these changes effective January 19, 2022, and follow NOTAMs regarding 5G C-Band interference when planning landings. Dispatching or releasing airplanes to affected airports or runways with certain braking system inoperabilities or contaminated conditions is prohibited under this AD.
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