The Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive requiring operators of Boeing 737 Max aircraft to inspect their fuselages for possible cracks in a structural component known as the bear strap. The bear strap consists of sheets that provide support around exit doors. The directive is expected to affect around 471 aircraft globally.
The FAA stated that while no cracks have yet been identified in 737 Max planes, the aircraft model shares similar design and manufacturing characteristics with earlier Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft in which such cracks were previously discovered. The agency determined that the 737 Max could be susceptible to developing similar structural issues. The inspections are scheduled to commence in September. The FAA warned that without intervention, the potential cracking could compromise the structural integrity of affected aircraft and impair their ability to withstand design load limits.
A Boeing representative confirmed the company had been coordinating with airlines operating 737 aircraft for several years following initial identification of the concern in 2019. Boeing stated it supports the FAA directive and is collaborating with airline operators on the inspection requirements. The company indicated that the inspection process would provide multiple checkpoints to detect and address issues before any cracks reach critical dimensions. Boeing noted it is pursuing engineering modifications to address the underlying cause of the problem.
This directive follows a similar FAA inspection regime for the 737 Next Generation fleet that began in 2021. The increased scrutiny of Boeing aircraft stems from elevated concerns about the manufacturer’s quality control and engineering practices, particularly following high-profile incidents and the lengthy grounding of the 737 Max model in earlier years.
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