The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new directive requiring mandatory fuselage inspections for specific Boeing 737 Max 8, Max 9, and 737-8200 aircraft. This regulatory action follows the discovery of structural cracks in older generation Boeing planes, specifically within the reinforcement components surrounding the forward service door near the right-side galley.
According to the FAA, the mandate impacts 471 aircraft within the United States and 1,429 planes globally. While these specific cracks have not yet been identified in the 737 Max fleet, the agency is requiring these checks to ensure safety. The cracks in older models typically originate in the “bear strap,” a structural element designed to reinforce areas around emergency exits and doorways, which can experience fatigue from the repetitive stress of flight cycles over time.
Boeing stated that it opted to include the 737 Max in these inspections because the aircraft shares a comparable design and manufacturing process with its Next Generation predecessors. The manufacturer is currently performing a detailed analysis to identify the root cause of the cracking and to implement preventative measures for future production. Boeing noted that it “extended the inspections to 737 MAX airplanes as the model shares a similar design and build process” to its older models.
Major U.S. carriers have responded to the directive, indicating that they do not expect significant disruptions to their flight schedules. Southwest Airlines confirmed it is “reviewing” the airworthiness directive and plans to complete the necessary inspections in accordance with the FAA’s specified timeline. Similarly, a United Airlines spokesperson stated, “We don’t anticipate any impact to our operations in the near term and will accomplish the inspections during heavy maintenance visits.” The airline added that due to the current flight cycles of its oldest Max jets, the required inspections are not yet due for some time.
Boeing said that although the issue has not so far been observed in its 737 Max fleet, in 2024, it “extended the inspections to 737 MAX airplanes as the model shares a similar design and build process” to its Next Genera
Southwest Airlines, which is one of the primary operators of 737 jets in the U.S., told in a statement that it was “reviewing” the FAA’s airworthiness directive and “will accomplish the inspections on the affect
Source: CBS News
