FAA Issues Directive for Boeing Jets Amid Fuselage Cracks

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive for Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes due to cracks in their fuselage skin.

According to the FAA, they received reports of 'bear strap' metal cracking at the forward galley door cutout on these aircraft models.

The airworthiness directive requires an inspection of the fuselage skin for existing repairs and applicable on-condition actions.

This issue may lead to the inability of the principal structural element to sustain limit loads, which could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.