EASA AD US-2026-13-17
Navigation - 5G C-Band wireless Broadband Interference with Radio Altimeter System when operating in Canadian airspace - Amendment
Summary
Navigation - 5G C-Band wireless Broadband Interference with Radio Altimeter System when operating in Canadian airspace - Amendment is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness directive addressing interference issues affecting Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes. This directive responds to increased 5G Lower C-Band interference in Canadian airspace that compromises radio altimeter reliability and impacts critical airplane systems during takeoff and landing. The amendment mandates updates to the airplane flight manual to restrict certain operations relying on radio altimeter data when flying in Canadian airspace.
What Changed
This amendment introduces new operating limitations for Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes when operating in Canadian airspace due to changes in 5G Lower C-Band interference mitigations by Canadian authorities. It requires revising the airplane flight manual to prohibit operations that depend on radio altimeter data under these interference conditions. The directive reflects updated analysis and regulatory actions by Transport Canada and supersedes previous FAA directives related to 5G interference in U.S. airspace but does not supersede any FAA ADs explicitly.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because 5G interference can degrade the performance of radio altimeters, which are essential for safe takeoff and landing operations. Operators must understand the increased risk of longer landing distances, rejected takeoffs, and potential runway excursions in Canadian airspace. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and operational safety while adapting to evolving 5G spectrum environments.
What To Do
Operators of Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes must revise their airplane flight manuals to include the new limitations prohibiting certain operations that rely on radio altimeter data when operating in Canadian airspace. These changes must be implemented by the effective date of July 1, 2026. Stakeholders should monitor FAA communications for any further updates and consider radio altimeter upgrades as terminating action where applicable.
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