FAA orders inspections of hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX jets over seat safety concerns

A demonstration of the Boeing 777X (down) and 737-10 during the 54th International Paris Air Show held at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France. (Photo: Xinhua)

By Mary Wambui
Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Listen to article

3 min listen

Audio reading is not supported on this browser.

Ready

Thanks for listening. Continue with a related story, or tap the speaker icon on the next page to listen.

Rwanda, Boeing explore aircraft financing amid aviation ambitions

The New Times · 1 month ago

Read next Opens a fresh page.

The Boeing 737 MAX is a narrow-body aircraft primarily used for short- to medium-haul flights, typically carrying about 138–230 passengers, depending on the variant.

The United States aviation regulator has ordered inspections of hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft after discovering that some passenger seat assemblies may have been installed incorrectly in the seat tracks.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that a track‑mounted passenger seat assembly installed incorrectly can disengage from the seat tracks under increased load, turbulence, or during an emergency landing, a condition that, if not addressed, could result in injury to passengers and crew or block the aisle, slowing evacuation.

Consequently, the Administration proposed a mandatory Airworthiness Directive (AD) requiring inspections of 453 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft registered in the US, noting that it does not regulate foreign airlines. The US has 823 Boeing 737 MAX jets in operation, part of nearly 2,300 of the aircraft currently flying worldwide, according to aviation advisory and intelligence firm IBA.

Latest Stories

Last week, Uganda Airlines announced its first direct order with Boeing, comprising four Boeing 737‑8 MAX aircraft and four Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners, marking the beginning of a direct commercial partnership between the national carrier and the manufacturer.

The announcement followed the signing of a framework agreement by Uganda Airlines Acting Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake and Boeing Vice President for Africa Anbessie Yitbarek at State House, Entebbe.