The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive requiring inspections for possible fuselage cracks on certain Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The directive covers 471 U.S.-registered Boeing 737 MAX 8, MAX 8-200 and MAX 9 aircraft. Inspections will focus on the “bear strap” fuselage reinforcement and surrounding skin near the forward door area. The FAA warned that undetected cracks could propagate and adversely affect the aircraft’s structural integrity.
Operators will be required to carry out detailed visual inspections as well as periodic eddy current inspections to detect both surface and hidden cracks. Any aircraft found with damage will have to undergo the required repairs.
