The U.S. aviation authority has flagged a potential safety issue on hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, proposing mandatory inspections for seats that may have been installed incorrectly.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Monday that the proposed order affects 453 jets registered in the United States. The concern is that if the seats are not properly secured, they could detach during an emergency landing, potentially injuring passengers and crew or obstructing evacuation routes.

According to the FAA, the incorrectly installed seats could come loose in a crash scenario. The agency stated that this poses a risk to passenger and crew safety and could impede the speed of evacuations by blocking aisles. The proposed directive would apply exclusively to U.S.-registered aircraft, as the FAA's regulatory authority is limited to domestic airlines.

Regulators in other countries often adopt FAA directives for aircraft operating within their jurisdictions, suggesting this issue could have broader international implications. Boeing has acknowledged the problem, stating that the company issued guidance to operators on the matter in December 2025 and supports the FAA's move to make inspections mandatory.

This latest warning adds to a period of heightened scrutiny for Boeing's safety record. In January 2024, a cabin panel detached mid-flight from an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, forcing an emergency landing and leading to the grounding of 171 jets. Investigations revealed the panel was missing crucial bolts.

The company has faced increased pressure following a series of accidents globally and the death of a Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, in March 2024. Barnett was reportedly providing evidence for a safety lawsuit against the manufacturer.

In June 2025, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board concluded that Boeing had not provided sufficient training, guidance, or oversight to prevent the Alaska Airlines incident. Globally, nearly 2,300 737 MAX jets are in operation, with 823 of them based in the U.S., according to aviation intelligence firm IBA.

The FAA's proposed requirement for inspections underscores ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX fleet, a critical component of many airline fleets worldwide.