EASA AD US-2023-12-05
Aircraft Flight Manual - Limitations / Operating Procedures - Amendment
Summary
The document titled "Aircraft Flight Manual - Limitations / Operating Procedures - Amendment" is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD 2023-12-05) that applies to Boeing Model 747-8F, 747-8 series, and 777 airplanes equipped with radio altimeters. It addresses interference issues caused by wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz 5G C-Band frequency range that affect the reliability of radio altimeters and related airplane systems.
What Changed
This AD supersedes AD 2022-03-05 by requiring updated limitations in the airplane flight manual (AFM) that prohibit dispatching, releasing to airports, and conducting approaches or landings on runways when 5G C-Band interference is present. It introduces more restrictive operational limitations due to expanded deployment of 5G C-Band stations across the contiguous United States and clarifies that these limitations apply regardless of approach type or weather conditions.
Why It Matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals because interference with radio altimeters can compromise essential flight systems, including pitch control laws and tail strike protection, potentially leading to unsafe flight conditions. Operators, maintenance, and compliance teams must understand and implement these limitations to ensure continued safe flight and landing operations in affected airspace, especially as 5G broadband deployment increases.
What To Do
Affected operators must revise their airplane flight manuals to incorporate the new limitations prohibiting certain operations in the presence of 5G C-Band interference. Compliance with these revisions is mandatory by June 30, 2023, to avoid unsafe conditions caused by unreliable radio altimeter data. Operators should also monitor FAA notices and request approval for alternative methods of compliance if applicable.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.