The issue involves tiny gaps that could be present in the plane's dome-shaped forward-pressure bulkhead, which is located at the nose of the fuselage and serves as a barrier for the pressurized interior cabin.

The FAA plans to mandate Boeing -recommended inspections of forward pressure bulkheads (FPB) on some 980 787s to address production quality problems discovered several years ago.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to require airlines to inspect 787 forward-pressure bulkheads to address a concern involving gaps caused by manufacturing defects.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a proposed directive Thursday to require inspections of Boeing 787s for "excessive gaps" in the front of the jet.

The US Federal Aviation Administration proposed a directive to require inspections of a key structural component at the nose of Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner.