FAA Orders Crack Inspections on 1,429 Boeing MAX Jets

The Boeing 737 MAX 7 received FAA certification on August 3 after a nine-year review, but this victory was short-lived. Just two days later, the FAA ordered crack inspections on 1,429 MAX jets due to scratches made during manufacturing.

The issue is related to the bear strap, a metal reinforcement at the forward upper corner of the galley door cutout. Boeing's own engineers found surface scratches that could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft.

Boeing and operators like Southwest Airlines have been waiting for this certification, but now they face a new challenge. The inspections are not expected to be extensive, and it's likely that the issue will be resolved without major disruptions.