On August 6, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published Airworthiness Directive AD 2026-15-11 affecting certain Boeing Model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes. The directive addresses reports of cracks in the bear strap at the forward upper corner of the forward galley door cutout, which may compromise structural integrity by preventing principal structural elements from sustaining limit loads.
The AD requires operators to perform an external general visual inspection of the fuselage skin for existing repairs, followed by applicable on-condition actions including repetitive detailed inspections, high-frequency and low-frequency eddy current inspections for cracking, and obtaining Boeing instructions for any necessary repairs or alternative inspections. Compliance must occur within timelines specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1408 RB, dated December 20, 2024.
Effective September 10, 2026, this rule impacts approximately 471 U.S.-registered airplanes. Initial inspection costs are estimated at $85 per aircraft ($40,035 total), with additional eddy current inspections costing up to $340 per cycle per plane ($160,140 total on U.S. operators). Two commenters responded to the November 2025 proposal—the Foundation for Aviation Safety questioned compliance timing, while United Airlines sought clarification on blend-out repairs. Both were addressed without changes to the final rule. Boeing is simultaneously introducing manufacturing process changes to address root causes in new production.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced that Ampaire Inc. and the Utah Department of Transportation conducted a hybrid-electric demonstration flight along Utah’s I-15 corridor to test future cargo service.