US orders checks on Boeing 737 MAX for cracks in bodyNEW DELHI: In the latest concern over Boeing 737 MAX, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered operators of 471 planes to inspect for cracks in body that could affect their structural integrity. Indian carriers have over 90 MAX and 55 previous generation B737s NG is their fleet, with Air India Group and Akasa being the biggest customers for the plane here. Of these, say sources, 19 Akasa planes could be required to undergo checks — which Boeing says is an overnight process.Akasa, however, says none of its 40 B737 MAX are impacted. “Akasa operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, comprising brand-new B737 MAX aircraft. The FAA airworthiness directive (AD) has no impact on the safety or current operations of our fleet. The directive mandates a scheduled inspection prior to the completion of 30,000 flight cycles (take-offs and landings). At Akasa’s current average utilisation, this threshold is expected to be reached about 13 plus years after an aircraft is inducted into service. Given that our longest lease today is 12 years, the directive has no practical impact to Akasa Air,” said an Akasa spokesperson.The airline, which turned four Friday, reiterated safety remains its “highest priority” and that it is “fully compliant with all applicable regulatory requirements.” The Indian DGCA did not comment on this issue till the time of going to press.The US aerospace major has “conducted engineering analysis to identify root cause and is working through engineering changes that would prevent such cracking.” And that “such inspections provide multiple opportunities to identify and correct possible cracking before cracks exceed critical length.”About the latest FAA AD, a Boeing spokesperson said: “Boeing identified and reported this issue and has been working with operators on it over the past six years. In 2019, Boeing notified operators of B737NG airplanes of the issue and with detailed instructions for conducting the recommended inspections. The FAA subsequently mandated those inspections in an AD in 2021.”“This issue has not been observed on the 737 MAX fleet, but Boeing extended the inspections to 737 MAX airplanes as the model shares a similar design and build process. The FAA AD published (Thursday) mandates the inspections, as it did for the 737 Next Generation. We support both directives and continue to support our airline customers,” the spokesperson added.The B737 MAX has a chequered past and it was grounded globally on March 13, 2019, following two fatal crashes — one each in Lion Air and Ethiopian — that killed 346 people, and remained grounded for 20 months till late 2020. B737 MAX 9 aircraft were briefly grounded in Jan 2024 after an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 experienced rapid decompression after the left mid-exit door plug blew out shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon.