FAA Orders Inspection Of Hundreds Of 737 Max Jets

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive (AD) for Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes prompted by “reports of cracks in the bear strap at the forward upper corner of the forward galley door cutout.”

“This AD requires an inspection of the fuselage skin for existing repairs and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products,” the agency said.

The FAA “is issuing this AD to address cracks in the fuselage skin and bear strap, which may lead to the inability of the principal structural element to sustain limit loads and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane,” the agency said.

The cracks were found on some planes in a structural reinforcement (bear strap) around the forward service door on the right side of the airplane, next to the front galley.

Airlines must inspect the area on a schedule based on each airplane’s usage and repair any cracking before returning an affected airplane to service. Boeing has changed its manufacturing process to address the issue on newly built airplanes, the FAA said.

The FAA did not order the aircraft grounded, saying the required inspection intervals provide multiple chances to detect cracks before they could compromise the airplane’s structural integrity.

The directive takes effect September 10.