FAA orders inspections of 471 Boeing 737 Max jets over cracks
The fleet will stay in service, but cracks near the forward service door must be fixed before any plane flies again.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has ordered inspections of 471 Boeing 737 Max 8, Max 9 and Max 8-200 aircraft registered in the United States after cracks were found in part of the fuselage structure. The FAA said the cracks appeared in a structural reinforcement area around the forward service door and could grow because of pressure cycles during takeoff and landing. The airworthiness directive takes effect on 10 September. If cracks are found, operators must repair them before the aircraft return to service. The FAA did not order a grounding, saying the inspection schedule gives enough time to detect damage before structural integrity is affected. Boeing has also changed its manufacturing process for newly produced aircraft.