Urgent Crack Inspection Required for Hundreds of Boeing 737 Max Aircraft

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered the immediate inspection of 471 Boeing 737 Max jets due to cracks found in the aircraft bodies. The airworthiness directive, which will come into effect on September 10, affects approximately 471 Boeing 737 Max 8, Max 9, and Max 8-200 model aircraft registered in the US. The directive warns that undetected structural damage could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The cracks were found in the structural reinforcement area around the forward service door on the right side of the aircraft. According to the regulation, airlines will inspect the affected area based on the flight hours and usage of each aircraft. Any aircraft found with cracks during the FAA inspection will not be allowed to return to service until repairs are completed. Boeing stated that it is continuing engineering analyses and working on design changes to prevent such issues in the future.