On Feb. 26, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an immediately effective airworthiness directive (AD) requiring airlines to inspect 156 U.S.-registered Boeing 757s fitted with scimitar blended winglets.
Boeing 757 Issues
Boeing 757 aircraft issues centre on the ageing fleet’s maintenance needs, engine reliability concerns and structural fatigue. With many 757s in service for over 30 years, they require increased maintenance, higher fuel consumption, and older technology compared to modern fleets. Recent incidents (late 2025) involved multiple, consecutive engine issues for major carriers, leading to emergency landings.
Despite these issues, operators like Delta and United continue to rely on the aircraft for its unique performance capabilities, such as high-thrust, long-range, and the ability to operate from shorter runways.
The U.S. agency said in its AD preamble:
“The crack was located in the inspar outer lower wing skin area in the periphery of access panel 543BB”
This panel was modified during the installation of Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) scimitar blended winglets. If left undetected, these cracks could reduce structural integrity or, in extreme cases, lead to partial wing loss. The FAA has confirmed that the panel does not have a mandatory maintenance inspection.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Response
The FAA issued an immediately effective airworthiness directive and, after initial reports, shortened the required inspection window. Airlines now have five days to conduct high frequency eddy current inspections of scimitar blended winglets (SBWs) to ensure safety. This follows after cracks were discovered in wing panels during maintenance checks.
Boeing is actively supporting the FAA’s mandate for high-frequency eddy current inspections of the inspar outer lower wing skin area on modified 757s. This is a process that requires roughly two hours per aircraft to prevent potential structural integrity issues.
What are your thoughts on these inspections? Let us know in the comments below!
