The Federal Aviation Administration found that 31,000 seats on Boeing 737 Max aircraft were installed incorrectly and could detach from rails during severe turbulence. Aviation giant Boeing, which was recently allowed by the regulatory agency to self-certify its aircraft safety, reported the issue alongside federal inspectors.
Seats slipping off their guides pose a risk to passengers and crew while complicating emergency evacuations, Jalopnik reported. The civil aviation administration directive estimates that up to 69 seats on each of 453 Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 aircraft based in the United States may require reassembly.
Media reports indicate United Airlines operates the highest number of affected aircraft with about 284 planes, followed by Southwest Airlines with over 260 planes. Inspecting each seat will cost airlines about $85 including labor, bringing total inspection expenses to at least $2.6 million across 1,028 Boeing aircraft.
Company response and factory inspections
A Boeing representative said the company issued guidance to operators in December last year and supports the decision by civil aviation authorities to mandate compliance. Boeing currently checks seat installation before aircraft leave the factory, so new 737 models should not have this problem.
Previous Boeing aircraft incidents
In January 2021, a Boeing 737 built in 1994 crashed shortly after takeoff from Jakarta airport in Indonesia with 62 people on board. Earlier on March 31, 1986, a Boeing 727 operating as Mexicana Flight 940 caught fire in mid-air and crashed near Las Mesas, killing all 167 passengers and crew members.
Another recent incident occurred on a Boeing 737 flight when a passenger was partially pulled out of a window during flight. Operator Ryanair stated that its planes were safe, while preliminary data indicated an engine fragment broke off and knocked out an acrylic window.
