FAA orders inspections of 737 Max jets after cracks found in older planes

The Federal Aviation Administration has mandated inspections for numerous Boeing 737 Max aircraft following the discovery of cracks in certain older models. The FAA's directive, issued on Thursday, pertains to fuselage inspections for specific 737 Max 8, 737 Max 9, and 737-200 variants. The focus is on the structural reinforcement adjacent to the forward service door on the right side of these older generation planes, where cracks have reportedly emerged in the bear strap.

This component, designed to reinforce areas around doorways and emergency exits, is susceptible to cracking due to the repetitive stress from takeoffs and landings.

The directive affects 471 planes within the United States and 1,429 airplanes globally. To date, no cracks have been identified in Boeing Max jets specifically. However, the order sets a timeline for mandatory inspections to detect and rectify potential cracks before they escalate into safety concerns. Boeing had initially alerted operators of its 737 Next Generation planes about the issue in 2019, providing them with instructions for recommended inspections.

Despite the issue not being observed in Boeing's 737 Max fleet as of 2024, the manufacturer has extended the inspections to these aircraft due to the shared design and build processes with its Next Generation model.

Boeing is currently conducting an analysis to determine the root cause of the cracks and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in future aircraft. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines, a significant operator of 737 jets in the United States, has stated that it is reviewing the FAA's airworthiness directive and plans to proceed with inspections on the affected airplanes according to the schedule prescribed by the FAA.