The Federal Aviation Administration orders inspections for improperly installed seats on 453 Boeing 737 MAX jets.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a proposed airworthiness directive on Monday, requiring U.S. airlines to perform detailed inspections of seat track fittings on 453 Boeing 737 MAX jets. The agency warned that incorrectly installed seats could disengage from their tracks during severe turbulence or an emergency landing, potentially injuring passengers and crew or blocking aisles during evacuations. While the FAA only regulates U.S. registered aircraft, foreign regulators often follow its directives. The inspection covers more than 80,000 seats across the fleet, with approximately 69 seats per plane potentially requiring reassembly. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg noted the company's commitment to safety as the planemaker works to improve production quality following recent high-profile incidents, including a door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight. The company has already issued guidance to operators regarding the seat issue, and a Boeing spokesperson expressed support for the FAA making these inspections mandatory.