Boeing 737 MAX Safety Update: FAA Orders Enhanced Production Inspections

The Federal Aviation Administration on May 27, 2026, announced enhanced inspection requirements for Boeing 737 MAX production lines, extending extraordinary oversight of the aircraft program following the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug incident.

The new safety protocols mandate detailed visual inspections of mid-cabin exit door plugs, focusing on verified installation of four critical bolts on each door plug assembly. Under the revised framework, FAA inspectors and Boeing engineers will alternate weekly responsibilities for final safety checks before aircraft receive airworthiness certificates. The oversight directly addresses manufacturing and inspection lapses identified in NTSB case DCA24MA051.

The FAA maintains its production cap of 38 aircraft per month while Boeing seeks approval to increase output once regulators confirm sustained quality improvements. Airlines have completed mandatory door plug inspections for affected 737-9 MAX aircraft in service. The agency emphasized that safety considerations, not production speed, will determine the timeline for normalizing manufacturing operations and restoring full certification authority to Boeing.