Published • loading... • Updated
FAA Orders Inspection of Hundreds of 737 Max Jets for Cracks
Airlines must inspect fuselage skin and reinforcing straps for cracks, with the FAA estimating 471 U.S.-registered planes are affected.
- On Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered inspections of 471 US-registered Boeing 737 Max jets for cracks in structural reinforcement near the forward service door, effective September 10.
- Boeing updated its manufacturing processes to address the cracking issue on newly built airplanes, reflecting the manufacturer's effort to resolve quality control problems identified in the production line.
- The FAA did not ground the fleet, as the directive requires usage-based inspections and repairs before affected aircraft return to service, providing multiple opportunities to detect cracks before structural integrity is compromised.
- This scrutiny follows intense oversight since an Alaska Airlines door plug blew out in January 2024, when the National Transportation Safety Board found four missing bolts during delivery.
- Last month, regulators proposed a separate airworthiness directive requiring inspections of seat assemblies on 453 Boeing Max jets to verify proper installation, reflecting broader quality control challenges.
Insights by Ground AI
131 Articles
131 Articles
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has this week ordered inspections of hundreds of Boeing aircraft, following reports of cracks on some older models.
·Montreal, Canada
Read Full Article
The directive applies to individual Boeing 737-8, 737-9 and 737-8200 aircraft. 471 aircraft are subject to mandatory inspection in the United States.
·Kyiv, Ukraine
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources131
Leaning Left16Leaning Right21Center67Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Center
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
65% Center
15%
C 65%
R 20%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
