FAA Orders Inspection of 471 Boeing 737 MAX Jets Over Safety Concerns

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive requiring inspection of 471 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to check for cracks in the fuselage skin and bear strap. The FAA declared that these cracks may lead to the inability of the principal structural element to sustain limit loads, affecting the airplane's structural integrity.

The problem was identified after reports of cracks in the bear strap located at the forward upper corner of the forward galley door cutout. Boeing published a bulletin specifying procedures for an external general visual inspection to identify any repairs and applicable actions.

The FAA estimates that the inspections will require up to four hours and cost $85 per hour, with a total estimated cost of $160,140 for US operators. The airworthiness directive comes into effect on September 10, 2026.