The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive targeting specific structural issues in 13 Boeing Co's (BA  ) 757-200 airplanes registered in the U.S., aiming to mitigate the risk of in-flight problems due to identified fatigue cracking.

The directive follows reports of potential cracking around the lavatory service panels on these aircraft, according to a Reuters report.

The FAA has pinpointed excessive stress concentrations at the lavatory service panel access pan, the fuselage skin, and the stringer 22 attachment point as the primary concern.

If unaddressed, these issues could lead to significant in-flight depressurization and compromise the aircraft's structural integrity, emphasizing the critical nature of these repairs.

Airworthiness directives like this one are legally binding rules issued by the FAA to rectify unsafe conditions discovered in aircraft.

They require aircraft operators to perform specified inspections or repairs to ensure continued safety and compliance.

This particular directive affects Boeing 757-200 planes that have undergone modifications under specific supplemental-type certificates. These modifications have been identified as contributing factors to the stress that leads to cracking.

Boeing, under scrutiny after multiple flight incidents, including the Alaska Air Group Inc (ALK  ) blowout, faces a criminal investigation by the Justice Department.

Also, Boeing may face potential criminal charges as U.S. prosecutors reportedly recommend legal action against the aerospace giant after the company allegedly breached a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement following two fatal 737 MAX crashes.

Boeing stock has lost more than 14% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via IShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA  ) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA  ).

Price Action: BA shares are trading lower by 0.08% at $174.97 at the last check on Wednesday.