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 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.