Boeing 737 Wings Get Crack Checks Ordered by FAA
Published Date: 1/12/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make sure Boeing 737 planes stay safe by checking for cracks on the lower wing skin. Owners of 737-700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER models will need to inspect their wings and fix any problems found. Comments on this plan are open until February 26, 2026, and these inspections could mean some extra maintenance costs but keep flights safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated on-condition repair cost per airplane
For any crack outside the skin cutout boundary found by the inspections, the FAA estimates repairs would require about 54 work‑hours (54 x $85 = $4,590) plus parts costing up to $11,180, for a total up to $15,770 per product. The FAA says it cannot determine how many airplanes will need those on-condition repairs.
Mandatory wing inspections for certain 737s
If you operate Boeing Model 737-700, -700C, -800, -900, or -900ER airplanes, the FAA proposes required inspections of the outboard lower wing skin at stringers S-9 and S-10 on both left and right wings, repetitive HFEC inspections, and required on‑condition repairs. The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect 1,857 U.S.-registered airplanes and says the unsafe condition could lead to loss of structural integrity if not addressed.
Compliance timing and inspection intervals
The proposed rule sets the earliest initial compliance time in the Aviation Partners Boeing bulletin as before 20,000 flight cycles or before 40,000 flight hours, whichever comes first, and specifies that repetitive inspection intervals vary by configuration with the earliest repetitive interval being 3,000 flight cycles. Operators must meet these timing requirements or follow the effective date-based exceptions in the AD.
Per-inspection labor cost and U.S. total
The FAA estimates a general visual inspection (left and right wing) takes 2 work-hours at $85/hour = $170 per airplane, and an HFEC inspection takes 2 work-hours at $85/hour = $170 per inspection cycle. The FAA estimates the cost to U.S. operators for each inspection type across the affected fleet (1,857 airplanes) is $315,690 per inspection cycle.
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