The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered all airlines to carry out inspections in 453 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft registered in the United States. The order concerns incorrectly secured passenger seats that may slide out of their rails during turbulence and threaten the safety of people on board.
The FAA directive requires immediate checks of the durability of passenger seat attachments in all rows, with particular attention to the technical condition of the bolts. Carriers operating the affected aircraft must verify that the seats are properly fixed to the rails.
Boeing identified the problem in December 2025 after receiving signals from airlines that analysed cases occurring during unexpected turbulence. The manufacturer then conducted tests that confirmed the risk.
What the tests showed
Tests carried out by Boeing demonstrated that improper seat attachment can lead to seats sliding out of their rails. Such a failure poses a serious safety hazard to passengers and cabin crew, particularly during sudden jolts or an emergency evacuation.
Similar recommendations are expected to be issued soon by EASA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. This means carriers outside the United States may also have to prepare for inspections of their 737 MAX fleets.
Polish carriers affected by the checks
In Poland, the inspections will apply to aircraft operated by Ryanair, Buzz, PLL LOT and Enter Air that are entered in the Civil Aviation Register kept by the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC). These are the Polish-registered Boeing 737 MAX machines used by the four carriers.
The FAA order covers all 453 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft registered in the United States. Airlines must check every row of passenger seats and assess the condition of the screws that keep the seats attached to the floor rails.
Source: WNP.PL, Fot. Silviu Matei / Shutterstock
