FAA Orders Inspections for Nearly 500 Boeing 737 MAX Jets

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered inspections of hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft due to concerns about potential cracking in a structurally important area of the fuselage.

The directive, which affects 471 US-registered planes, requires operators to inspect the fuselage skin and a structural reinforcement known as the bear strap near the forward galley door.

Boeing says no cracks have been found on its MAX fleet, but the inspections are being mandated because of similarities in design and manufacturing with earlier Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft that have experienced cracking issues.

The FAA directive states that cracking in the fuselage skin and bear strap could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft if left unchecked.