FAA orders inspections of Boeing 737 Max jets due to cracks

Aug. 7 (UPI) — The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday ordered inspections of hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets.

The FAA said the inspection comes due to reports of cracks in earlier-model planes’ bear straps, a structural metal component that strengthens doorways and emergency exits.

No cracks have been found in newer models, the agency said.

The FAA order affects 471 planes in the U.S., and it includes models 737-8, 737-9 and 737-8200.

“This [airworthiness directive] requires an inspection of the fuselage skin for existing repairs and applicable on-condition actions,” the FAA said.

“The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks in the fuselage skin and bear strap, which may lead to the inability of the principal structural element to sustain limit loads and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane,” the order added.

Boeing told CBS News it is studying the cause of the cracks and “extended the inspections to 737 MAX airplanes as the model shares a similar design and build process” to its older models.