The Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive requiring operators of Boeing 737 Max aircraft to conduct inspections for potential cracks in the fuselage structure. The directive is expected to impact approximately 471 planes currently in service.
The inspection requirement targets a component known as the bear strap, which consists of sheets that support the fuselage around exit doors. While no cracks have been identified in 737 Max aircraft to date, the FAA determined that the structural design and manufacturing processes of the model make it susceptible to developing the same issues observed in earlier Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft. The regulatory body stated that failure to address the potential problem could result in structural integrity degradation and compromise the plane’s ability to withstand critical loads.
Inspections are scheduled to begin in September and follow a similar inspection protocol that the FAA implemented for older Boeing 737 Next Generation models beginning in 2021, when cracks were discovered in those aircraft. Boeing stated that it had been collaborating with airlines regarding this issue for several years after initially identifying and notifying operators of the concern in 2019.
A Boeing representative indicated support for the FAA directive and noted that the company continues to work with airline customers on the matter. Boeing added that the inspection regimen would provide multiple opportunities to identify and address problems before any cracks reach critical dimensions. The company is also pursuing engineering solutions to resolve the underlying cause of the issue.
The directive reflects ongoing scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing and design practices, particularly following high-profile incidents involving the 737 Max model over the past several years.
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