Aircraft
FAA To Take Full Control of Max Airworthiness Certification
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has decided to retain full authority to issue airworthiness certification to each 737 Max.
Stored Boeing 737 Max 8s sit grounded in Moses Lake, Washington. (Photo: Barry Ambrose)
Stored Boeing 737 Max 8s sit grounded in Moses Lake, Washington. (Photo: Barry Ambrose)

Boeing has lost its approval to certify individual 737 Max jets for flight as a result of a decision by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to bar the manufacturer from issuing its own airworthiness certificates under its organizational designation authority (ODA). The agency said it would reserve the authority to issue the certificates until Boeing puts in place “fully functional quality control and verification processes.” In the past, the FAA shared responsibility with Boeing to issue certification ahead of delivery.