The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered inspections for nearly 1,500 Boeing 737 Max aircraft worldwide due to a potential risk of cracks, according to Le Figaro. The directive, reported on Sunday, August 9, 2026, follows a new safety alert concerning certain 737 Max models.
Le Figaro reports that the affected fleet includes aircraft operated by various airlines globally. The FAA’s decision marks another setback for Boeing, which has faced repeated scrutiny over the 737 Max series in recent years. The inspections are intended to detect structural cracks before they become a safety hazard, though the specific location of the potential cracks has not been detailed in the initial reports.
The news was also covered by Capital.fr, which described the move as a fresh blow for the manufacturer, and by Air Journal, which noted the global scope of the required checks. Yahoo Actualités confirmed that the US aviation administration will carry out the inspections, while Le Revenu highlighted the new safety concern for some 737 Max jets.
This latest action adds to a long list of challenges for Boeing’s best-selling narrow-body aircraft, which was previously grounded for nearly two years following two fatal crashes. The current directive does not ground the planes but requires operators to schedule inspections, according to the reports.
What to watch next: Whether the FAA expands the inspection order to additional models or mandates repairs if cracks are found during the checks.
