The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a series of inspection directives to address safety concerns identified in Boeing aircraft. Specifically, production flaws were detected in the Boeing 787 and 737 MAX 9 models, prompting the FAA to call for immediate action.
Safety Concerns with Boeing 787 Seat Tracks
The FAA announced that incorrect titanium alloys used in the seat tracks of Boeing 787 aircraft pose potential safety risks. The issue stems from the use of lower-grade unalloyed titanium (Grades 1 and 2) instead of the specified Grade 5 titanium. This could compromise structural integrity, particularly during emergency landings.
The FAA’s inspection directive impacts 37 U.S.-registered aircraft, including the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 variants.
Comprehensive inspections using techniques such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and high-frequency eddy current testing are now mandatory. In response, Boeing issued a Warning Requirements Bulletin on October 18, 2024, instructing operators to replace non-compliant parts.
737 MAX 9 Emergency Exit Door Plug Inspection
In the case of the 737 MAX 9, a malfunction in the mid-cabin emergency exit door plug drew FAA scrutiny. The issue surfaced during a January 6, 2024, Alaska Airlines flight, which experienced a cabin depressurization event due to the plug failure, forcing an emergency landing in Portland.
Following this incident, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive, grounding 171 aircraft worldwide. Boeing updated its inspection guidance for operators on January 9, and the FAA began an extensive review to ensure safe implementation of the procedures.
Affected airlines include:
- Aeromexico
- Alaska Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Lion Air
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
Boeing CEO David Calhoun emphasized the company’s commitment to full transparency and accountability during this process.
New Directive for Overhead Video Monitors
The FAA has also proposed a rule requiring the replacement of overhead video monitors in Boeing 737NG and 757 aircraft. According to bulletins released by Boeing in December 2023 and January 2024, the monitors could detach from their rails during hard landings, posing a risk of passenger injury.
The proposed rule would affect 459 Boeing 737NG and 85 Boeing 757-200/757-300 aircraft. It mandates equipping monitors with secondary restraint tethers to enhance safety.
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