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FAA Targets Boeing 737 Passenger Seats Over Safety Concerns

Agency’s plan requires mandatory inspections to address installation concerns.

The FAA has proposed an airworthiness directive for certain Boeing 737 models to mandate inspections of passenger seat installations. [Credit: Boeing]
The FAA has proposed an airworthiness directive for certain Boeing 737 models to mandate inspections of passenger seat installations. [Credit: Boeing]
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Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA has proposed an airworthiness directive (AD) for incorrectly installed seats on 453 Boeing 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 aircraft.
  • The issue stems from seat-track fittings not being correctly engaged, which could cause seats to dislodge during turbulence or emergency landings, potentially injuring passengers or blocking evacuation routes.
  • The AD mandates detailed inspections of seat-track fittings, with Boeing supporting the directive, potentially covering compliance costs, and stating most affected aircraft have already been inspected.
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The FAA has released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for an airworthiness directive (AD) aimed at tens of thousands of seats on Boeing 737s because they may have been installed incorrectly and could come loose in severe turbulence.

FLYING obtained a copy of the proposed AD, which affects 453 Boeing model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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