FAA Orders Inspection of 471 Boeing 737s After Cracks Are Discovered on Planes

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered an inspection of several models of Boeing 737 jets to determine if there are cracks in the fuselages.

The FAA airworthiness directive covers 471 jets in the U.S., including some Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 models, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Airline operators are required to inspect the fuselage skin and perform additional inspections or repairs as needed.

“This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the bear strap at the forward upper corner of the forward galley door cutout,” the order, which takes effect on Sept. 10, said, according to Fox Business.

FAA orders inspections of Boeing 737 Max jets after cracks found in some older planes. https://t.co/QNvNTUPAR4

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 7, 2026

“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.”

Boeing said the issue was spotted on 737 Next Generation aircraft, but has not been spotted on 737 Max aircraft.

“Boeing identified and reported this issue and has been working with operators on it over the past six years,” the company said.

“The FAA airworthiness directive published today mandates the inspections, as it did for the 737 Next Generation. We support both directives and continue to support our airline customers,” Boeing said.

The FAA said Boeing is working to prevent the issue by making changes to planes in production.

“Boeing is introducing changes to the manufacturing process that address the root cause of the unsafe condition on in-production airplanes,” the FAA directive noted.

The directive estimates the overall costs of inspections will be about $200,000.

Last month, the FAA ordered airlines to inspect seats on hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX passenger jets, saying improperly installed cabin seats could pose a danger, according to Forbes.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the FAA wants seats on 453 Boeing 737-8 and 737-9 aircraft to be inspected.

“A track-mounted passenger seat assembly that is installed incorrectly can disengage from the seat tracks if there is an increased load, turbulence, or emergency landing,” the FAA said.

“This condition, if not addressed, could result in injury to passengers and crew during an emergency landing or could block the aisle, which could slow evacuation,” the agency added.

“There ​could be up to ​69 track-mounted passenger ⁠seat assemblies on each 737 MAX,” the FAA said.

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