FAA orders new 737 MAX bear-strap crack checks

The FAA published Airworthiness Directive 2026-18-07 in the September 17 Federal Register, requiring inspections of the fuselage skin, bear strap, and stub frame at the forward galley-door cutout on certain Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes. The rule, prompted by reported cracks between stations 290 and 296, incorporates Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, covers an estimated 476 US-registered jets, and takes effect October 22, 2026. It is a separate directive from AD 2026-15-11, which took effect September 10; the FAA said Boeing is changing the manufacturing process on in-production airplanes.