The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said that 453 Boeing 737 MAX type aircraft may require work to correct passenger seat assemblies that were wrongly installed in the seat tracks.
On July 27, 2026, the FAA said it was proposing a new airworthiness directive (AD) after reviewing a Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-25-1927 RB, dated December 10, 2025.
The airworthiness directive applies to certain Boeing 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9 and 737 MAX 8200 aircraft.
“This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the seat track fittings of each left and right side track-mounted passenger seat assembly for correct installation and applicable on-condition actions,” said the FAA.
The US aviation regulator added that it is proposing this AD to address the “unsafe condition on these products”.
According to the FAA, the “aft fitting shear plungers were not correctly lowered and not engaged in the seat tracks”.
“A track-mounted passenger seat assembly that is installed incorrectly can disengage from the seat tracks if there is an increased load, turbulence, or emergency landing,” the FAA said. “This condition, if not addressed, could result in injury to passengers and crew during an emergency landing or could block the aisle, which could slow evacuation.”
The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is being issued after the FAA determined that the issue is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type of design.
The FAA estimates that there could be up to 69 track-mounted passenger seat assemblies per aircraft.
Inspection of each aircraft would cost $85 per seat assembly with a total cost for US operators of up to $2,656,845. Installation to rectify any problems would cost $85 per seat assembly.
Boeing has told the FAA that some or all the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty.
The FAA said it must receive comments on the airworthiness directive by September 10, 2026.