New FAA directive requires checks on 471 Boeing 737 MAX jets

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) requiring inspection of 471 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to check for cracks. The 471 US-registered aircraft include Boeing 737 MAX 8, MAX 9 and high density 737-8200 aircraft, according to the FAA document. The decision to issue an airworthiness directive follows on from a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published on November 25, 2025, that highlighted the problem. The airworthiness directive comes into effect on September 10, 2026. If enacted, this airworthiness directive would also apply to certain Boeing 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9, and 737 MAX 8200 aircraft.