The U.S. aviation regulatory body has mandated inspections for Boeing 737 Max aircraft to check for potential cracks in a key structural part of the fuselage. Scheduled to commence in September, these inspections will involve around 471 aircraft. The focus is on a structural element known as the bear strap, which provides support around the exit doors of the fuselage. This move follows the discovery of similar issues in older Boeing 737 Next Generation models, which also underwent inspections.
Although no cracks have been detected in the 737 Max fleet so far, the regulators have noted that the aircraft shares a similar design and manufacturing process with the older models. This similarity raises the possibility that the same structural issue could manifest in the 737 Max. The regulatory agency emphasized that unnoticed cracks might compromise a crucial structural component and potentially impact the aircraft’s overall integrity.
Boeing has acknowledged the situation, stating that it has collaborated with airlines on this matter since it was first identified in 2019. The company has expressed support for the mandatory inspections, highlighting that these checks are intended to discover and address any issues before they escalate to critical levels.
These inspections come amid ongoing scrutiny of the 737 Max, following previous safety concerns and incidents related to its manufacturing and engineering quality. The aircraft type has already faced significant challenges, having been grounded worldwide after two tragic crashes in 2018 and 2019.