Quick Answers
What Boeing 747 variants does FAA AD 2026-13-14 cover?
FAA AD 2026-13-14, effective July 1, 2026, covers all Boeing 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. The 747-8 and 747-8F are not included — they are covered by the separate AD 2026-13-10.
How does the 747 Classic/400 5G failure mode differ from the 747-8?
For the 747 Classic and 400 series, 5G interference causes increased flightcrew workload when the flight director, autothrottle, or autopilot is engaged on approach — an autoflight management risk. For the 747-8 and 777 (AD 2026-13-10), the risk involves pitch control laws and tail strike protection — a flight control system risk.
Quick Compliance Summary
| Regulatory body | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| AD number | 2026-13-14 — Amendment 39-23397 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-7205 |
| Aircraft affected | All Boeing 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F series |
| Issue | 5G Lower C-Band interference in Canadian airspace causes increased flightcrew workload on approach with autoflight systems engaged |
| Required action | AFM Limitations revision before further flight in Canadian airspace |
| Compliance deadline | July 1, 2026 — already effective |
| Who must act | Operators, Directors of Operations, CAMOs, Flight Standards teams for 747 Classic and 400 fleets |
| Source | Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 125, June 30, 2026 — FR Doc 2026-13207 |
Who Should Read This
Directly relevant to:
- Directors of Operations for freighter and charter operators flying 747-100 through 747-400 series to Canada
- Directors of Maintenance responsible for AFM currency
- Continuing Airworthiness Managers (CAMs)
- Flight Operations and Standards departments
- Dispatch and Operational Control departments
This is the seventh and final type-specific 5G AD in the Canadian airspace series. It covers the 747 Classic and 400 family — distinct from the 747-8 AD (2026-13-10) already covered in this series.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| AD Number | 2026-13-14 |
| Amendment | 39-23397 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-7205 |
| ATA Code | 34 — Navigation |
| Aircraft | 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F |
| Effective Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Required Action | AFM Limitations revision |
| Failure mode | Increased flightcrew workload on approach with flight director, autothrottle, or autopilot engaged |
| Terminating action | Available — radio altimeter tolerant upgrade |
| Comment deadline | August 14, 2026 |
What Changed
The FAA published AD 2026-13-14 on June 30, 2026. It became effective July 1, 2026.
The root cause is the same as all other 5G ADs in this series. Transport Canada removed 5G Lower C-Band airport protection mitigations from July 1, 2026. Only radio altimeter-tolerant airplanes are adequately protected.
This AD covers the 747-100 through 747-400F series. It is separate from AD 2026-13-10, which covers the 747-8 and 747-8F.
Why It Matters — And How This AD Differs From the 747-8 Directive
The failure mode in this AD is different from the 747-8 directive.
For the 747-8 and 777 family (AD 2026-13-10), the risk involved pitch control laws and tail strike protection — a flight control system concern.
For the 747 Classic and 400 series, the risk is increased flightcrew workload during approach when the flight director, autothrottle, or autopilot is engaged. 5G interference disrupts radio altimeter data that these automation systems depend on. The crew must manage unexpected autoflight behavior at a critical phase of flight. That reduces the crew’s ability to maintain safe flight and landing.
This mirrors the failure mode identified in the 737 Classic/NG AD (2026-13-13) and the legacy Boeing/MD AD (2026-13-15) — a workload-based risk rather than a flight control law risk.
Who Is Affected
All Boeing 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, are in scope.
No variant exceptions exist within this series.
The 747-8 and 747-8F are not covered by this AD. They are covered by AD 2026-13-10.
Most 747 Classic and 400 series aircraft remaining in active service today are freighters, particularly 747-400F and converted 747-400 passenger-to-freighter variants. Cargo operators with Canadian routes — particularly those serving major freight hubs at Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary — should confirm AFM currency immediately.
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.
Brief all crews operating to Canada. Update dispatch procedures for Canadian routes.
Terminating action is available. Modifying the airplane to a radio altimeter tolerant configuration terminates all AFM limitations for that airplane.
5G AD Series — Complete Picture
This AD completes the type-specific 5G series. Seven directives cover every major Boeing and McDonnell Douglas transport category family.
| AD | Aircraft | Failure mode |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-13-02 | All transport/commuter category | General limitation |
| 2026-13-17 | 737 MAX (737-8, -9, -8200) | Thrust reverser/spoiler/idle thrust |
| 2026-13-13 | 737 Classic/NG (-100 to -900ER) | Autoflight workload |
| 2026-13-11 | 787-8, -9, -10 | AIR/GROUND transition + landing distance |
| 2026-13-10 | 747-8, 747-8F, 777 family | Pitch control/tail strike protection |
| 2026-13-15 | Legacy Boeing/MD (707/727/DC-8/DC-9/DC-10/MD series) | Autoflight workload |
| 2026-13-14 | 747 Classic/400 (-100 to -400F) | Autoflight workload |
Operational Impact
The 747 Classic and 400 series AFM revision requirement applies immediately — the AD has been in effect since July 1, 2026.
For cargo operators with 747-400F or converted freighter fleets on Canadian routes: confirm AFM currency across your fleet now. Operating an affected aircraft into Canada without the AFM revision constitutes a violation of 14 CFR 39.7.
If you also operate 747-8F aircraft, confirm compliance separately under AD 2026-13-10. The two ADs are separate. Compliance with one does not satisfy the other.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Transport Canada notifies FAA | Late March 2026 |
| AD 2026-13-14 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 2026-13207
- Transport Canada 5G aviation guidance — tc.canada.ca/en/aviation
- Docket: regulations.gov, Docket No. FAA-2026-7205
FAQ
Is this the same AD as the 747-8 5G directive?
No. AD 2026-13-14 covers the 747 Classic and 400 series (-100 through -400F). AD 2026-13-10 covers the 747-8 and 747-8F. The failure modes are also different — workload-based for the Classic/400, pitch control law risk for the 747-8.
How is this AD different from the legacy Boeing/MD AD (2026-13-15)?
AD 2026-13-15 covers the 707, 717, 727, DC-8, DC-9, DC-10, MD-11, and MD-80/90 series. AD 2026-13-14 covers the 747 Classic and 400 series. Both have the same failure mode (autoflight workload), but they are separate ADs covering different aircraft families.
Does this apply to aircraft that never fly to Canada?
No. The FAA stated that airplanes that do not operate in Canadian airspace have no compliance obligation under this AD.
Is a terminating action available?
Yes. Modifying the airplane to a radio altimeter-tolerant configuration terminates all AFM limitations.
Related Reading
- FAA AD 2026-14-01: Bombardier BD-700-2A12 (Global 7500) Slat Cove Rib Fasteners
- FAA AD 2026-14-06: CFM LEAP-1A HPT Blade Inspections Extended to South Asia Region
- FAA AD 2026-13-10: Boeing 747-8 and 777 Family — 5G Interference May Affect Pitch Control
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.