Key facts
- The FAA has ordered inspections of Boeing 737 Max fuselages for potential cracks.
- The airworthiness directive affects approximately 471 aircraft.
- The inspections are prompted by cracks found in a similar component on older Boeing 737 Next Generation models.
- Boeing identified the issue and notified airlines in 2019.
- Boeing supports the FAA directive and is implementing engineering changes to address the cause.
The U.S. aviation regulator has ordered inspections of the fuselages of Boeing 737 Max planes for possible cracks in a component, citing similarities to issues found in earlier Boeing models. The Federal Aviation Administration's airworthiness directive will affect an estimated 471 aircraft and follows reports of cracks in older Boeing 737 Next Generation models dating back to 2021. The cracks were found in a component called the bear strap, which supports the fuselage around the exit doors. While no such cracks have been found in 737 Max craft, the FAA stated that the similar design and build process makes the model susceptible. Without action, the FAA warned, it could "lead to the inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit loads and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane."