Cracks found on older Boeing 737 planes during inspections
Boeing is facing yet another safety issue after structural cracks were found in 38 of its 737 NG airplanes around the world.
The inspections ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) discovered that out of the 810 jets that had been examined, 38 had cracks in a “pickle fork”, or the part that attaches the plane’s body to the wing structure. This amounted to about 5 per cent of the planes inspected.
Boeing and airline officials said the planes will be grounded for repairs.
So far, two airlines have disclosed that they have jets that need to be grounded. Southwest Airlines announced on Wednesday that it had grounded two of the 700-plus NG jets in its fleet due to the cracking issue, while Brazilian carrier Gol Linhas Aereas confirmed it took 11 out of its 115 planes out of service.
Last week, the FAA ordered airlines to inspect their 737 NG fleets after Boeing alerted the agency about structural cracks. Aircrafts that have made at least 30,000 flights must be inspected within seven days, while planes between 22,600 and 29,999 cycles are to be inspected after 1,000 flights.
Today, about 6,800 of the 737 NG jets are in service around the world.
The report came as Boeing continues its effort to seek approval for the 737 Max to fly again. All 737 Max jets have been grounded since March following fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia, which killed 346 crew and passengers.