Quick Reading
What does FAA AD 2026-13-16 require for Boeing 757 and 767 operators?
FAA AD 2026-13-16, effective July 1, 2026, requires operators of Boeing 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, -300 and 767-200, -300, -300F, -400ER, and -2C aircraft to complete two AFM revisions before operating in Canadian airspace — both an AFM Limitations revision and an AFM Operating Procedures revision. Completing only one section does not satisfy compliance.
How does the 757/767 5G AD differ from other Boeing 5G directives?
Most Boeing 5G Canadian airspace ADs require only an AFM Limitations revision. FAA AD 2026-13-16 for the 757 and 767 requires both an AFM Limitations revision and an AFM Operating Procedures revision — the same two-part structure as the 787 AD (2026-13-11). The failure mode is autoflight workload on approach.
Quick Compliance Summary
| Regulatory body | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| AD number | 2026-13-16 — Amendment 39-23399 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-7207 |
| Aircraft affected | All Boeing 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, -300 and 767-200, -300, -300F, -400ER, -2C 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 AND AFM Operating Procedures revision |
| Compliance deadline | July 1, 2026 — already effective |
| Who must act | Operators, Directors of Operations, CAMOs for 757 and 767 fleets with Canadian operations |
| Source | Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 125, June 30, 2026 — FR Doc 2026-13218 |
Who Should Read This
Directly relevant to:
- Directors of Operations for airlines and cargo operators with 757 and 767 Canadian routes
- Directors of Maintenance responsible for AFM currency
- Continuing Airworthiness Managers (CAMs)
- Flight Operations and Standards departments
- Crew Training and Standards teams
- Dispatch and Operational Control departments
This is the eighth type-specific 5G AD in the Canadian airspace series. It covers the Boeing 757 and 767 families. Both require a two-part AFM revision — not the single Limitations revision that covers most other types in this series.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| AD Number | 2026-13-16 |
| Amendment | 39-23399 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-7207 |
| ATA Code | 34 — Navigation |
| Aircraft | 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, -300; 767-200, -300, -300F, -400ER, -2C |
| Effective Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Required Action | AFM Limitations revision + AFM Operating Procedures revision |
| Failure mode | Increased flightcrew workload on approach with autoflight engaged |
| Terminating action | Available — radio altimeter tolerant upgrade |
| Comment deadline | August 14, 2026 |
What Changed
The FAA published AD 2026-13-16 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 removed 5G Lower C-Band airport protection mitigations from July 1, 2026. Only radio altimeter-tolerant airplanes are adequately protected in Canadian airspace after that date.
This AD covers the entire Boeing 757 family and the entire 767 family. It was published alongside the other type-specific 5G ADs on June 30 and has been in effect since July 1 — but was not yet covered in the ARW 5G series.
Why It Matters — The Two-Part AFM Requirement
This is the operationally important distinction for the 757 and 767.
Most type-specific 5G ADs in this series require a single AFM revision — a Limitations section update. The 757 and 767 AD requires two separate AFM revisions:
Part 1 — AFM Limitations revision. Incorporates limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when operating in Canadian airspace.
Part 2 — AFM Operating Procedures revision. Provides specific crew procedures for operating under the Limitations in Canadian airspace.
The revision of the Operating Procedures is an additional compliance burden. It means the crew briefing component is more specific than for the 737 Classic/NG or legacy fleet. Dispatch teams and training departments must ensure crews are briefed on both the limitations and the operating procedures — not just the limitations alone.
This two-part structure mirrors the 787 AD (2026-13-11) and the MD-80/90 portions of the legacy fleet AD (2026-13-15). Operators managing multiple fleet types need to track which AFM revision structure applies to each type.
The failure mode is the same as the Classic/NG and legacy fleet directives: increased flightcrew workload on approach with the flight director, autothrottle, or autopilot engaged. 5G interference disrupts radio altimeter data these automation systems depend on. The crew must manage unexpected autoflight degradation at the most demanding phase of flight.
Who Is Affected
All Boeing 757 and 767 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
| Family | Variants covered |
|---|---|
| 757 | 757-200, 757-200PF, 757-200CB, 757-300 |
| 767 | 767-200, 767-300, 767-300F, 767-400ER, 767-2C |
The 757-200PF and 767-300F are freighter variants — cargo operators with Canadian routes should treat this as a priority. The 767-2C is the KC-46A Pegasus tanker variant in commercial certification; confirm applicability with Boeing for specific operator configurations.
No variant exceptions exist within these families.
Required Action
Step 1 — Revise the AFM Limitations Section. Insert the limitations specified in the AD for non-radio altimeter tolerant airplanes operating in Canadian airspace.
Step 2 — Revise the AFM Operating Procedures Section. Insert the operating procedures specified in the AD. These procedures provide specific crew actions for operating under the Canadian airspace limitations.
If your AFM already has an Operating Procedures Section complying with paragraph (k) of AD 2023-12-12 (the prior US domestic 5G AD for the 757/767), that is acceptable for compliance with the Operating Procedures requirement of this AD.
Terminating action: Modifying the airplane from a non-radio altimeter-tolerant airplane to a radio altimeter-tolerant airplane terminates both the Limitations and the Operating Procedures for that airplane. Once modified, both AFM revisions may be removed.
5G AD Series — Complete Picture
This AD completes coverage of the Boeing transport category fleet. All major Boeing and McDonnell Douglas families now have type-specific 5G directives.
| AD | Aircraft | AFM revisions required | Failure mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-13-02 | All transport/commuter | Limitations | General |
| 2026-13-17 | 737 MAX | Limitations | Thrust reverser/spoiler/idle thrust |
| 2026-13-13 | 737 Classic/NG | Limitations | Autoflight workload |
| 2026-13-16 | 757 and 767 | Limitations + Ops Procedures | Autoflight workload |
| 2026-13-11 | 787 | Limitations + Ops Procedures | AIR/GROUND + landing distance |
| 2026-13-10 | 747-8 and 777 | Limitations | Pitch control / tail strike |
| 2026-13-14 | 747 Classic/400 | Limitations | Autoflight workload |
| 2026-13-15 | Legacy Boeing/MD (707–MD90) | Limitations (+ Ops for MD-81/82/83/87/88/MD-90) | Autoflight workload |
Operational Impact
The AD is already effective. There is no compliance window remaining.
For 757 and 767 operators with Canadian operations, confirm two things before any further Canadian flights:
- The AFM Limitations section has been updated
- The AFM Operating Procedures section has been updated
Completing only the Limitations revision does not satisfy this AD. Both sections must be updated. Operating in Canadian airspace with an incomplete AFM revision violates 14 CFR 39.7.
Crew briefings must cover both elements. The operating procedures revision is not just a documentation task — crews need to be familiar with the specific procedures for Canadian airspace operations under the limitations.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Transport Canada notifies FAA | Late March 2026 |
| AD 2026-13-16 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 2026-13218
- Transport Canada 5G aviation guidance — tc.canada.ca/en/aviation
- Docket: regulations.gov, Docket No. FAA-2026-7207
FAQ
Does this AD require one AFM revision or two?
Two. The 757 and 767 AD requires both an AFM Limitations revision and an AFM Operating Procedures revision. Completing only the Limitations revision does not satisfy compliance.
Does this apply to 757 and 767 aircraft that don’t fly to Canada?
No. Aircraft that do not operate in Canadian airspace have no compliance obligation under this AD.
I already updated the AFM under the general transport category AD (2026-13-02). Am I covered?
Partially. The general AD required a Limitations revision. This type-specific AD also requires an Operating Procedures revision. Check whether your current AFM includes both sections updated for Canadian airspace.
Is a terminating action available?
Yes. Upgrading the airplane to a radio altimeter-tolerant configuration terminates both the Limitations and Operating Procedures. After modification, both AFM revisions may be removed.
What is the 767-2C?
The 767-2C is the commercial designation for the Boeing platform used in the KC-46A Pegasus tanker program. Confirm specific applicability and AFM revision procedures with Boeing for your operator configuration.
How does the 757/767 AD differ from the 737 Classic/NG AD?
Both have the same autoflight workload failure mode. The difference is the AFM revision requirement. The 737 Classic/NG AD requires only a Limitations revision. The 757/767 AD requires both a Limitations revision and an Operating Procedures revision — a more complex compliance task.
Related Readings:
- FAA AD 2026-13-10: Boeing 747-8 and 777 Family — 5G Interference May Affect Pitch Control
- FAA AD 2026-14-06: CFM LEAP-1A HPT Blade Inspections Extended to South Asia
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.