FAA orders inspection of hundreds of 737 Max jets for cracks

By CNN
August 6, 2026 | 10:50 AM

(CNN) — The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered inspections of hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets for cracks in the body of the plane, warning that undetected damage could reduce the aircraft’s structural integrity.

The new airworthiness directive applies to an estimated 471 US-registered Boeing 737 Max 8s, Max 9s and Max 8-200 airplanes.

Cracks were found on some planes in a structural reinforcement around the forward service door on the right side of the airplane, next to the front galley, the FAA said.

Airlines must inspect the area on a schedule based on each airplane’s usage and repair any cracking before returning an affected airplane to service.

Boeing has changed its manufacturing process to address the issue on newly built airplanes, the FAA said. CNN has reached out to Boeing for comment.

The FAA did not order the aircraft grounded, saying the required inspection intervals provide multiple chances to detect cracks before they could compromise the airplane’s structural integrity.

The directive takes effect September 10.

Last month, the FAA proposed another airworthiness directive that would require the inspection of seat assemblies on 453 Boeing 737 Max jets in case they were incorrectly installed.

The manufacturer has been under scrutiny since a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines jet in January 2024. The National Transportation Safety Board found four bolts that were supposed to hold the door plug in place were missing when the plane was delivered the airline in October 2023.

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‘I just can’t believe it’: NC-11 voters react to Rep. Edwards’ exit from House race

By CNN
August 6, 2026 | 12:03 PM

Click here for updates on this story HENDERSON COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) -- Many voters across western North Carolina were surprised to learn Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards announced Wednesday he would not seek reelection, two days after the bipartisan House Ethics Committee recommended he be censured after finding he violated House rules in his interactions with two female staff members.News 13 asked residents in Hendersonville and Asheville to get their reaction. While some closely follow politics, others said they don't, and a few weren't even familiar with Edwards.Sam Engelhardt, an independent who recently moved to Asheville, said he wishes more people paid attention to local races but understands why many don't."A lot of those elections, people don't actually really follow," Engelhardt said. "Sometimes the debates are only online, so you have to seek them out to learn about the candidates."Asked who he'd like to see on the ballot, Engelhardt laughed."Oh, me," he said. "I'm more confident in myself than strangers that I don't know."Engelhardt said he knows running for office isn't easy because candidates often have to compromise to gain support."To gain support, a lot of times people end up making compromises in their beliefs," he said. "It's hard. You can't win an election by yourself."Tony Varnadore, a Republican in Henderson County, said he was shocked to hear Edwards was ending his campaign."I just can't believe it," Varnadore said. "He's such a good guy, and he's done a lot for Henderson County. I've got his phone number. I can call him if I need something or ask him to check into something, and he'd do it."He said he got to know Edwards several years ago after working at a boys' summer camp in Green River that Edwards' parents operated."He grew up in Green River... I worked summer camp for him down there at his camp, and he was just a great guy," Varnadore said. "He was one of the honest guys that, you know, I can probably count on my right hand how many honest people there are in Washington right now, and I've got one finger missing."Varnadore said he was skeptical when he heard about the House Ethics Committee's findings against Edwards."My wife told me about it yesterday and said, 'Did you hear about all that stuff about Chuck?'" Varnadore said. "I said, 'That's probably all crap that the Democrats have come up with.'"Still, Varnadore said it is true, they should be taken seriously. "If anybody ever disrespected my daughters, I'd be upset, very upset."He also said he hopes Republican Party leaders choose someone voters can trust."I'd like for them to let the voters choose," Varnador said. "But hopefully we've got enough common-sense Republicans who are going to find somebody to replace him who's going to go with the same agenda that Donald Trump has. He needs all the help he can get."Under North Carolina law, the Republican Party's 11th District Executive Committee, not voters , will choose the GOP nominee to replace Edwards on the November ballot. That's been the process in North Carolina for more than 100 years when a party nominee drops out after winning the primary."Hopefully, there's somebody the committee can find that would be honest," Varnadore said. "That's my big thing, honesty. There's so many crooked politicians."Frank Owenby, a Republican from Henderson County, said he was disappointed to hear Edwards is ending his reelection campaign."I know after Helene, we contacted him, and it was like a week or so, we got immediate assistance," Owenby said. "I'm very disappointed that he's having to drop out. I think it's just very unfair."Owenby said he questions the timing of the House Ethics Committee investigation against Edwards."Well, I feel like if it was very inappropriate, why didn't it come up earlier?" he said. "Like a lot of the things lately in politics, you can't keep going back years and years and have someone come up and accuse you of something. I think it's really getting out of hand, and I hate it's happening to him."Asked whether he would still support Edwards if the allegations proved to be true, Owenby said he would need to see evidence."If it was inappropriate, yes," he said. "But I have my doubts that he's done anything inappropriate. I'd have to see proof."Owenby said he would have preferred for voters, not party leaders, to choose the next Republican nominee.The voters News 13 spoke with had different perspectives on Edwards and the accusations against him, but they all shared one hope: that whoever ends up on the November ballot will represent western North Carolina well.Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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