Quick Reading
What is unique about the 5G failure mode for Boeing 747-8 and 777 aircraft?
Unlike other Boeing 5G ADs focused on landing distance or automation workload, FAA AD 2026-13-10 identifies that 5G Lower C-Band interference on the 747-8 and 777 may affect pitch control laws — including tail strike protection — that depend on radio altimeter data, regardless of approach type or weather.
Does FAA AD 2026-13-10 apply to the Boeing 777X?
No. FAA AD 2026-13-10 applies to the 747-8, 747-8F, 777-200, 777-200LR, 777-300, 777-300ER, and 777F. The 777X is not listed as applicable to this AD.
Quick Compliance Summary
| Regulatory body | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| AD number | 2026-13-10 — Amendment 39-23393 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-7202 |
| Aircraft affected | All Boeing 747-8, 747-8F, 777-200, 777-200LR, 777-300, 777-300ER, and 777F |
| Issue | 5G Lower C-Band interference may affect pitch control laws — including tail strike protection — when operating in Canadian airspace |
| Required action | AFM revision incorporating radio altimeter limitations |
| Compliance deadline | July 1, 2026 — already effective |
| Who must act | Operators, Directors of Operations, CAMOs, Flight Standards teams for 747-8 and 777 fleets |
| Source | Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 125, June 30, 2026 — FR Doc 2026-13216 |
Who Should Read This
This is the fifth type-specific 5G AD in a series published June 30, 2026. It covers the Boeing 747-8/-8F and 777 family — with failure modes distinct from those in the other 5G ADs.
Directly relevant to:
- Directors of Operations for airlines with 747-8 or 777 Canadian operations
- Directors of Maintenance responsible for AFM currency on these types
- Continuing Airworthiness Managers (CAMs)
- Flight Operations and Standards departments
- Crew Training and Standards teams
- Dispatch and Operational Control departments
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| AD Number | 2026-13-10 |
| Amendment | 39-23393 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-7202 |
| ATA Code | 34 — Navigation |
| Aircraft | 747-8, 747-8F, 777-200, 777-200LR, 777-300, 777-300ER, 777F |
| Effective Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Required Action | AFM Limitations revision |
| Unique failure mode | 5G interference may affect pitch control laws — including tail strike protection — regardless of approach type or weather |
| Terminating action | Upgrade to radio altimeter-tolerant airplane |
| Comment deadline | August 14, 2026 |
What Changed
The FAA published AD 2026-13-10 on June 30, 2026. It became effective July 1, 2026.
The root cause is identical to all other 5G ADs in this series. Transport Canada notified the FAA in late March 2026 that 5G Lower C-Band airport protection mitigations would be removed from July 1, 2026. Only radio altimeter-tolerant airplanes are adequately protected after that date.
This AD covers the Boeing 747-8, 747-8F, and the full 777 family.
Why It Matters — A Distinct and Serious Failure Mode
The 747-8 and 777 5G failure modes are different from those of the other type-specific ADs in this series. It is the most safety-significant.
For the 737 MAX and 787 families, the risk centered on landing distance — thrust reverser deployment, speedbrake deployment, and AIR/GROUND mode transitions.
For the 737 Classic and NG, the risk was increased flightcrew workload on approach with automation engaged.
For the 747-8 and 777, the FAA identifies a different risk. 5G interference may affect multiple airplane systems using radio altimeter data. Critically, this includes the pitch control laws, including those that provide tail-strike protection.
Tail strike protection on these aircraft is a fly-by-wire control law function. It limits nose-up pitch attitude near the runway surface during rotation and landing to prevent the tail from striking the ground. It depends on radio altimeter data to determine proximity to the runway.
If 5G interference disrupts radio altimeter data, the tail strike protection law may not function correctly. This risk applies regardless of the approach type or weather conditions.
This is not a landing distance concern. It is a flight control law concern at a critical phase of flight.
Who Is Affected
All Boeing 747-8, 747-8F, 777-200, 777-200LR, 777-300, 777-300ER, and 777F airplanes, certificated in any category, are in scope.
There are no variant exceptions within the 747-8 or 777 families.
The 777X family is not included in this AD. The 747-8 is still in active service with both passenger and freighter operators. The 777 family is one of the most widely operated wide-body types in the world — particularly the 777-300ER on long-haul routes that include Canada.
Required Action
Revise the Airplane Flight Manual to incorporate limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when operating in Canadian airspace.
Obtain the applicable AFM revision from Boeing or your type certificate holder immediately.
Brief all crews operating to Canada. Update dispatch procedures for Canadian routes.
Terminating action is available. Modifying the airplane from a non-radio-altimeter-tolerant airplane to a radio-altimeter-tolerant airplane terminates the AFM limitations for that airplane. After modification, the limitations may be removed from the AFM.
5G AD Series — Cross-Reference
This AD is one of six type-specific 5G ADs published alongside the general transport category directive.
| AD | Aircraft | Unique failure mode |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-13-02 | All transport/commuter category | General limitation |
| 2026-13-MAX | 737-8, 737-9, 737-8200 | Thrust reverser/spoiler/idle thrust |
| 2026-13-13 | 737 Classic/NG (-100 to -900ER) | Autoflight workload increase |
| 2026-13-11 | 787-8, 787-9, 787-10 | AIR/GROUND transition + landing distance |
| 2026-13-10 | 747-8, 747-8F, 777 family | Pitch control laws / tail strike protection |
| 2026-13-15 | Legacy Boeing/MD fleet | Autoflight workload increase |
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Transport Canada notifies FAA | Late March 2026 |
| AD 2026-13-10 published | June 30, 2026 |
| AD effective / Canadian 5G protections removed | July 1, 2026 |
| Comment deadline | August 14, 2026 |
Source Documents
- Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 125, June 30, 2026 — FR Doc 2026-13216
- Transport Canada 5G aviation guidance — tc.canada.ca/en/aviation
- Docket: regulations.gov, Docket No. FAA-2026-7202
FAQ
Is the tail strike protection risk specific to the 747-8 and 777?
Yes. This specific failure mode — 5G interference affecting pitch control laws including tail strike protection — is identified in this AD for the 747-8 and 777 family. It does not appear in the other type-specific 5G ADs.
Does this AD apply to the 777X?
No. The 777X is not listed in the applicability of AD 2026-13-10.
What is tail strike protection and why does radio altimeter data matter?
Tail strike protection is a fly-by-wire control law that limits nose-up pitch attitude close to the runway to prevent the tail from contacting the ground during rotation and landing. It relies on radio altimeter data to determine runway proximity. If that data is degraded by 5G interference, the protection may not function as designed.
Is a terminating action available?
Yes. Modifying the airplane to a radio altimeter-tolerant airplane terminates the AFM limitations. Once completed, the limitations can be removed from the AFM.
This AD is already past its effective date — what should operators do?
Complete the AFM revision immediately. Operating an affected aircraft into Canadian airspace without the revision constitutes a violation of 14 CFR 39.7.
Related Reading
- FAA AD 2026-13-15: 5G Canadian Airspace Limitations Now Cover Boeing 707, 717
- FAA AD 2026-13-11: Boeing 787 Dreamliner 5G Canadian Airspace Limitations —
- FAA AD 2026-13-13: Boeing 737 Classic and NG Family Now Subject to 5G C-Band
- FAA Issues Emergency Radio Altimeter ADs for Canadian Airspace — Effective July 1, 2026
aviationregwatch.com publishes regulatory intelligence for aviation compliance professionals. This article is an informational summary, not legal or airworthiness advice. Consult your aircraft manufacturer, type certificate holder, or legal counsel for compliance decisions.