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The FAA plans to order mandatory inspections of Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) horizontal stabilizer components following reports of “excessive freeplay,” or looseness, causing pitch control issues, a draft rule reveals.
The draft order, set for publication Jan. 9, would mandate inspections of left and right horizontal stabilizer pivot hinges and the jackscrew “to determine freeplay value,” the draft rule said. Worn parts must be replaced, it added.
“Currently, there is no inspection requirement in place to address the wear of the left and right horizontal stabilizer pivot hinges and jackscrew,” the draft directive said.
Horizontal stabilizer freeplay has been linked to multiple reports of “pitch oscillation events,” the draft rule said. Boeing alerted operators of the issue in a June 2025 service bulletin and recommended the inspection protocol. The FAA’s planned mandate is based on the bulletin.
The FAA’s draft directive does not detail the inflight incidents, nor does it detail the proposed inspection deadline or affected population of 737NGs. Affected operators should refer to Boeing’s bulletin for inspection timetable details and affected serial numbers, the agency said.
The FAA estimates the directive would apply to 1,987 U.S.-registered aircraft. Global adoption is likely.
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