FAA airworthiness directives tighten oversight; 737NG pickle‑fork AD highlights regulatory drag on airliner programs
The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive targeting cracked rear ‘pickle‑fork’ fittings on high‑time Boeing 737 NGs, while industry analysis underscores how ADs, rulemaking and regulatory oversight are extending large‑airliner development timelines and adding near‑term compliance burdens for manufacturers and operators.