FAA Restores Boeing Self-Certification Authority for 737 Max and 787

The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday restored Boeing's authority to issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, a privilege the manufacturer lost after fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving the 737 Max. The FAA cited eight months of comparable production quality findings between Boeing-issued and FAA-issued certificates as the basis for returning this responsibility. The decision marks a regulatory milestone for Boeing, one of the largest U.S. exporters, following years of safety scrutiny including the two crashes and a January 2024 incident when a door plug detached from a new 737 Max 9 during flight.

FAA Implemented Alternating Certification Process Last September

The Federal Aviation Administration announced last September that Boeing could issue airworthiness certificates for only some 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with the FAA and Boeing alternating weeks performing that work. This partial restoration represented an intermediate step in returning full certification authority to the manufacturer.

FAA Cites Eight-Month Quality Monitoring Period

"During the past eight months, the FAA has seen comparable production quality findings when Boeing issued airworthiness certificates and when the FAA issued them," the agency stated Friday. "Based on these results, the FAA determined it can safely return this responsibility to Boeing." Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision.

Decision Follows Boeing Safety Crises Since 2018

The authority to self-certify aircraft was removed from Boeing after two fatal crashes of the 737 Max in 2018 and 2019. The manufacturer faced renewed safety scrutiny following a near catastrophe in January 2024 when a door plug blew off a new 737 Max 9 moments into the flight. The Friday decision represents a vote of confidence from the regulator for Boeing after these years of safety challenges.

FAQ

What authority did the FAA restore to Boeing on Friday?

The FAA restored Boeing's authority to issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This certification process allows Boeing to approve its own planes as airworthy before delivery to customers, a responsibility that was stripped from the manufacturer after fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Why did the FAA return this certification authority to Boeing?

The FAA cited eight months of comparable production quality findings between Boeing-issued and FAA-issued airworthiness certificates. The agency stated it saw comparable quality whether Boeing or the FAA performed the certification work during an alternating-week arrangement that began last September, leading the FAA to determine it could safely return the responsibility to Boeing.