FAA Inspects 737 Max Fuselages for Potential Cracks

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a directive requiring inspections of Boeing's 737 Max fuselages due to potential cracks in a critical component. The airworthiness directive affects an estimated 471 planes and is a response to earlier reports of cracks found in older Boeing aircraft models.

The FAA emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures, stating that without these inspections, there could be severe implications for the structural integrity of the airplane. No cracks have been detected in the 737 Max model to date, but the FAA expressed concerns that similarities in design and manufacturing processes render the aircraft vulnerable to similar issues.

Boeing has been collaborating with airlines operating 737 models over the past few years, including identifying and notifying them about this issue since 2019. The company is also addressing engineering changes to mitigate the root cause of these issues.