FAA Orders Inspections on 1,429 MAX Jets After Boeing's Certification
Boeing's recent certification of its 737 MAX 7 aircraft has been overshadowed by a new directive from regulators. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered inspections on 1,429 MAX jets after just two days of celebrating the approval.
The move targets a structural part called the 'bear strap,' which is linked to factory flaws, not in-service failures. Although no cracks have been found yet, the timing raises concerns about Boeing's production reliability issues.
The FAA certified the 737 MAX 7 on August 3 after requiring software and engine system upgrades. Southwest Airlines holds 282 orders for the aircraft and was planning to deploy it for short routes, but deliveries won't begin until 2027, with an additional six months needed for operational readiness.