FAA proposes fan cowl fix for Boeing 787s over dual-engine shutdown risk

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a proposed airworthiness directive requiring modifications to fan cowls on certain Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The action follows a finding by Boeing that existing protection around several oil lines on the left fan cowl of the right engine may not adequately shield them from debris released during an uncontained rotor failure of the left engine.

According to the FAA, such debris could damage the right engine as well, raising the possibility of both engines shutting down during flight. Boeing reported the issue to the agency and, in February 2026, issued a bulletin describing inspection and modification procedures for affected aircraft.

The proposed directive would require operators to review maintenance records or physically inspect the right engine's left fan cowl to determine whether one of three specific part numbers is installed. Aircraft found to have an affected part would need modification or replacement, and the rule would also bar installation of the affected fan cowl design on aircraft that do not currently have it.

The FAA estimates that the initial records check or inspection would take about three work hours per aircraft, at a cost of roughly $255 each, totaling about $5,610 across the 22 aircraft on the US registry believed to be affected. The agency has not provided a cost estimate for the subsequent modification or replacement work.

The proposal stems from a certification review rather than any reported in-service accident or incident, according to the FAA, with the underlying concern centered on the adequacy of debris protection design rather than an actual failure event.