The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule mandating inspections for hundreds of Boeing 737 Max aircraft, citing concerns over cracks that have been reported in similar, older models. The directive, which goes into effect September 10, targets specific variants of the 737 Max: the 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200. The agency estimates this rule affects approximately 471 planes.
While no cracks have been found on these particular Max models to date, the FAA noted in November, when the rule was initially proposed, that reports of cracks in a forward bear strap had surfaced on several older "Next-Generation" 737 planes. Bear straps are critical metal reinforcements found near doorways and emergency exits.
The FAA stated that the Max jets share a similar design and manufacturing process with the older models, making them potentially susceptible to the same crack condition. The agency warned that unresolved issues could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft.
Boeing confirmed that it had identified and reported this issue previously and had been collaborating with operators for the past six years. The aircraft manufacturer began providing inspection instructions for affected Next Generation 737s in 2019, which the FAA later mandated in 2021. Boeing has since extended these inspections to the Max jets, and the FAA's latest directive formalizes this process for those models as well.
"We support both directives and continue to support our airline customers," a Boeing spokesperson said. The FAA's directive also mandates inspections of the fuselage skin on planes that have existing repairs. Boeing has faced scrutiny over safety, quality, and production issues in recent years, including two fatal crashes of the larger 737 Max 8 in 2018 and 2019, and an incident in January 2024 where a panel detached from a Max 9 mid-flight. In March, the FAA announced that Boeing would once again be permitted to oversee the certification of its 737 Max and 787 aircraft.