Overview
- The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking on Monday that would require detailed inspections of every left‑ and right‑side track‑mounted passenger seat assembly on 453 U.S.‑registered 737 MAX 8, MAX 9 and MAX 8200 jets.
- Investigators reported that some aft fitting shear plungers were not fully lowered and engaged in the seat tracks, a defect that could let seats disengage in severe turbulence or an emergency landing and injure occupants or block an aisle.
- The inspection covers as many as 69 seat assemblies per aircraft, takes about one work hour per assembly, needs no parts, and is estimated to cost roughly $85 per seat and about $2.7 million in total for U.S. operators.
- Boeing issued guidance to airlines on December 10, 2025, supports making that guidance mandatory and has told the FAA that warranties may cover some or all repair costs.
- The NPRM is open for public comment until September 10, 2026, applies only to U.S.‑registered jets but is likely to prompt parallel review by other national regulators given continuing oversight of 737 MAX production issues.