What Happened
Boeing Scratches Raise Safety Concerns For 1,429 Jets
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a final airworthiness directive ordering structural inspections of approximately 1,429 Boeing 737 Max jets worldwide for potential cracking in a fuselage reinforcement called the bear strap. Although no cracks have been detected on any 737 Max in service, the directive is based on the assumption that the Max shares a similar design and build process with its predecessor, the 737 Next Generation, which has experienced cracking in the same area. The inspections are scheduled to begin on September 10, 2026, and are part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of the 737 Max fleet. This development was first reported by Unknown Source.