Older Boeing 747s must now get repeated checks for fuel tank damage

The US aviation regulator wants to update safety rules for certain Boeing 747 airplanes. These planes will now need repeated inspections for damage to their horizontal stabilizer fuel tank pumps, instead of just one-time checks for wear.

Airlines operating these specific Boeing 747 models will now face higher maintenance costs and potentially more downtime for inspections. The manufacturer, Boeing, provided new information that suggests the previous inspection regime was not enough to catch potential issues. This change means a stricter, ongoing safety standard for these older aircraft.