Boeing Urges Airlines to Check 737 Max Jets for Loose Bolts
Boeing, the American aerospace company, has recommended that airlines inspect their 737 Max jets for loose bolts in the rudder control system. This comes after an undisclosed international airline found a bolt with a missing nut during routine maintenance. In addition, Boeing discovered another undelivered aircraft with an improperly tightened nut.
With over 1,370 of the 737 Max jets delivered globally, and several US airlines incorporating them into their fleets, the company is taking swift action to address the issue. It is important to note that no incidents related to lost or missing hardware have been reported so far.
Boeing estimates that inspections should be completed within the next two weeks, and each aircraft would require approximately two hours of inspection time. Despite this recent development, the company maintains that the planes can continue to fly safely.
This news comes as the latest safety concern for the Boeing 737 Max, which was previously grounded for 20 months after two fatal crashes that claimed the lives of 346 people. The crashes were attributed in part to a flawed automated flight control system known as MCAS.
Richard Aboulafia, managing director of Aerodynamic Advisory, commented on the loose bolts issue, describing it as relatively insignificant. However, he emphasized that it highlights ongoing problems with production at Boeing and its suppliers.
Boeing has faced significant scrutiny and criticism since the crashes in 2018 and 2019, which prompted investigations into the safety of the 737 Max. The company has since made multiple changes to the aircraft’s systems and implemented additional pilot training requirements to ensure its safe operation.
As the inspections proceed over the next two weeks, it is hoped that any potential issues with the rudder control system bolts will be identified and promptly addressed. With safety as the priority, Boeing and airlines around the world are working diligently to maintain the trust of passengers and ensure the continued safe operation of the 737 Max jets.
