Folks, I’m sipping my coffee and reading about the latest issue with Boeing 737 Max jets, and I’ve got to say, it’s a good thing I’m sitting down. The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered inspections of hundreds of these planes for cracks in the body, because, you know, flying is already scary enough without the possibility of the plane falling apart mid-air. The FAA is warning that undetected damage could reduce the aircraft’s structural integrity, which is just a fancy way of saying “it could crash”.
So, it seems that the new airworthiness directive applies to an estimated 471 US-registered Boeing 737 Max 8s, Max 9s, and Max 8-200 airplanes. That’s a lot of planes, folks. I mean, I’ve seen smaller fleets at a regional airport. The cracks were found on some planes in a structural reinforcement around the forward service door, which is apparently a big deal. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure you don’t want cracks in the plane’s body, especially not near the front galley where all the snacks are kept.
Airlines will have to inspect the area on a schedule based on each airplane’s usage and repair any cracking before returning an affected airplane to service. I guess that’s good news for the airlines, since they get to add “crack inspection” to their already lengthy to-do lists. Boeing, on the other hand, has changed its manufacturing process to address the issue on newly built airplanes, which is a good thing, I suppose. I mean, it’s not like they had a choice or anything.
The FAA didn’t order the aircraft grounded, which is probably a relief for all the airlines and passengers out there. Instead, they’re saying that the required inspection intervals provide multiple chances to detect cracks before they could compromise the airplane’s structural integrity. That sounds like a solid plan, but I’m no expert. I’m just a guy drinking coffee and reading the news.
The directive takes effect on September 10, so airlines have a bit of time to get their acts together. Last month, the FAA proposed another airworthiness directive that would require the inspection of seat assemblies on 453 Boeing 737 Max jets in case they were incorrectly installed. Because, you know, flying is already a thrilling experience without the possibility of your seat falling off.
It’s worth noting that Boeing has been under scrutiny since a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines jet in January 2024. The National Transportation Safety Board found that four bolts that were supposed to hold the door plug in place were missing when the plane was delivered to the airline in October 2023. Yeah, that’s not exactly the kind of thing you want to hear when you’re about to board a plane.
In conclusion, it seems like Boeing has a bit of a mess on its hands. The good news is that the FAA is on top of it, and airlines will have to inspect their planes to make sure they’re airworthy. The bad news is that there are cracks in the planes, which is just not what you want to hear when you’re flying at 30,000 feet. Oh well, at least the in-flight snacks are still safe, right?
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
