The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered inspections of Boeing 737 Max fuselages for possible cracks in a component, a directive affecting an estimated 471 aircraft, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- The FAA has ordered inspections of Boeing 737 Max fuselages for possible cracks in a component.
- The airworthiness directive affects an estimated 471 aircraft.
- The action follows reported problems in earlier Boeing models.
- The source did not detail a timeline for the checks or any findings.
The US aviation regulator has ordered inspections of the fuselages of Boeing 737 Max aircraft for possible cracks in a component, according to the Guardian.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s airworthiness directive will affect an estimated 471 aircraft, the report said. Such directives are used by the regulator to require operators to carry out specific checks or repairs when a safety concern is identified.
The move follows reports of cracks in earlier Boeing models, according to the Guardian.
No further specifics about the nature of the cracks, the deadline for inspections, or the potential impact on flight operations were provided in the source reporting.
Why it matters
The Boeing 737 Max is one of the most widely used aircraft in commercial aviation, so a regulator-ordered inspection across hundreds of planes could affect airline scheduling and passenger travel.
Frequently asked questions
How many aircraft are affected by the FAA order?
The FAA's airworthiness directive affects an estimated 471 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, according to the Guardian.
Why did the FAA order the inspections?
The inspections were ordered to check for possible cracks in a fuselage component, and the action follows reports of cracks in earlier Boeing models, according to the Guardian.
What is an airworthiness directive?
It is an order from the aviation regulator requiring operators to inspect or address a specific safety concern on affected aircraft. In this case, the FAA is requiring fuselage crack inspections.