FAA Grounds 737 MAX Jets Over Improperly Installed Seats

Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft have been grounded for a new reason: improperly installed seats on 453 US-registered jets. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive requiring inspection of up to 69 seat assemblies per plane, which could detach during turbulence or emergency landings.

Airlines such as Southwest and United must comply with the directive before September, when repairs must be completed. Each inspection takes about an hour, while repairs add another hour per assembly.

The estimated total repair cost for US carriers is $2.66 million. This move follows Boeing's recent return to self-certifying new aircraft, but the FAA's decision reinforces ongoing oversight of the company's products.