FAA warns hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX jets may require seat safety inspections due to incorrect installation

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandating inspections of passenger seat installations on hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. This action follows reports that some seat assemblies were not correctly secured to the cabin floor, specifically noting that aft fitting shear plungers on certain seats were not fully engaged with the seat tracks. The FAA is seeking to make mandatory the inspections and any necessary corrective actions.

Improperly installed seats could pose a significant safety risk, potentially disengaging from their floor tracks during severe turbulence or an emergency landing. This condition could result in injuries to passengers and crew, and could also obstruct aisles, thereby delaying emergency evacuations. The proposed directive targets certain Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and high-density 737-8200 aircraft, affecting an estimated 453 U.S.-registered airplanes.

Under the proposed directive, operators would be required to conduct detailed inspections of each track-mounted passenger seat assembly and perform immediate corrective actions if any improperly installed seats are identified. Boeing had previously issued a Special Attention Requirements Bulletin in December 2025 addressing this issue, and the FAA now supports making that guidance mandatory. The FAA estimates up to 69 affected seat assemblies per aircraft, with inspection and repair costs estimated at $85 per seat, some of which may be covered by Boeing's warranty. No incidents or injuries related to this particular issue have been reported.