- The FAA ordered inspections of 1,987 US-registered Boeing 737NG aircraft.
- The directive AD 2026-20-14 takes effect on 23 November 2026.
- Inspections focus on stabiliser pivot hinges and jackscrew assembly.
- The 737 MAX family is not affected by this directive.
- Initial checks take about six work-hours per aircraft.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered mandatory inspections for 1,987 US-registered Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft after airlines reported pitch oscillation events where aircraft pitched up and down mid-flight. The directive, AD 2026-20-14, aims to mitigate flight-control risks before they lead to a loss of aircraft control. The directive takes effect on 23 November 2026.
The directive focuses on the horizontal stabiliser, the movable tail surface that dictates nose-up or nose-down attitude. Wear and tear has caused excessive freeplay within the mechanism that supports and moves the stabiliser, specifically the left and right pivot hinges and the jackscrew assembly. If left uncorrected the looseness can trigger aerodynamic flutter, a self-reinforcing vibration that can cause structural failure or a loss of pitch control.
The directive affects 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER variants. The newer 737 MAX family is not affected by this specific stabiliser directive. The FAA is not grounding the fleet. Maintenance crews must measure clearances of the pivot hinges and jackscrews and replace components exceeding wear limits. The initial check takes about six work-hours per aircraft, an estimated $1.01m (€869,000) industry-wide labour cost for initial checks.
