The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed an airworthiness directive to address incorrectly installed passenger seats on 453 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft registered in the United States. The move follows a finding that seat assemblies on the affected jets may not have been fitted correctly in the seat tracks.
The proposal covers 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9 and 737 MAX 8200 variants. It focuses on aft fitting shear plungers that were not properly lowered and engaged, a condition the FAA says could allow a seat to disengage under high load, turbulence or an emergency landing. The agency said the hazard could injure passengers and crew and block the aisle, slowing evacuation.
The proposed rule calls for a detailed inspection of left- and right-side track-mounted passenger seat assemblies, with corrective action where needed. The FAA has not yet issued a final mandatory rule, and the comment deadline is 10 September 2026. Estimated compliance costs are put at $85 per seat assembly, with total U.S. operator costs of up to about $2.66 million, although Boeing has said some or all of those costs may be covered under warranty.