The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Monday issued an urgent directive requiring all U.S. airlines operating Boeing 737 Max jets to conduct detailed inspections for potential structural cracks. The move comes after engineers identified signs of fatigue in key fuselage sections, prompting regulators to act before any incident occurs.
The 737 Max returned to service worldwide after a worldwide grounding in 2019-2020 following two fatal crashes linked to software failures. Since its re‑entry, the aircraft has accumulated millions of flight hours, but recent maintenance reports have highlighted unexpected stress points in the aircraft’s skin near the wing‑root area.
The FAA’s order applies to carriers such as American, Delta, United, Southwest and others that fly the Max. Airlines must perform non‑destructive testing on the specified panels within 30 days and report findings to the agency. The directive also requires any aircraft showing signs of cracking to be taken out of service until repairs are completed.
Officials say the inspections are a precaution to ensure structural integrity and avoid a repeat of the 2018 Alaska Airlines incident where a similar crack led to an emergency landing. The agency stresses that early detection can prevent costly in‑flight failures.
The mandate may cause short‑term schedule adjustments, with some flights delayed or cancelled while planes are examined. Passengers could face minor inconveniences, but airlines expect the overall safety record to remain strong, preserving consumer confidence.
The FAA will review inspection reports and decide whether further action, such as additional checks or design modifications, is needed. Boeing has pledged to cooperate fully and supply any required repair kits.