Action
Final rule; request for comments.
Summary
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the determination that radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band (5G Lower C-Band) while operating in Canadian airspace, and the determination that, during takeoffs and landings, as a result of this interference, certain airplane systems may not properly function, resulting in longer than normal landing or rejected takeoff distances due to the effect on thrust reverser deployment, spoilers, speedbrake deployment, and increased idle thrust, regardless of the approach type or weather, which could lead to degraded deceleration performance and a runway excursion. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when operating in Canadian airspace. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.