Some Boeing 737 MAX planes may have faulty parts - US FAA

Published Jun 3, 2019

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Washington - The US Federal Aviation

Administration said on Sunday some Boeing Co 737 MAX and

NG planes may have parts that were improperly manufactured and

that it will require their replacement, the latest issue to hit

the world's largest plane maker.

The FAA said up to 148 leading edge slat tracks manufactured

by a Boeing sub-tier supplier are affected and cover 133 NG and

179 MAX aircraft worldwide. The FAA said a complete failure of a

leading edge slat track would not result in the loss of the

aircraft, but a failed part could cause aircraft damage in

flight.

Slats are movable panels that extend along the front of the

wing during takeoffs and landings to provide additional lift.

The tracks are built into the wing.

The 737 MAX was grounded globally in March following a fatal

Ethiopian Airlines crash after a similar Lion Air disaster in

Indonesia in October. The two crashes together killed 346

people.

Chicago-based Boeing has yet to submit a software upgrade to

the FAA as it works to get approval to end the grounding of the

737 MAX. Boeing did not immediately comment on Sunday.

The FAA said Boeing has identified groups of both 737 NG and

737 MAX airplane serial numbers on which these suspect parts may

have been installed, including 32 NG and 33 MAX in the United

States. The affected parts "may be susceptible to premature

failure or cracks resulting from the improper manufacturing

process," the FAA said.

The FAA will issue an Airworthiness Directive to require

Boeing's service actions to identify and remove the parts from

service, and operators will be required to perform this action

within 10 days.

An FAA spokesman said the issue should not delay Boeing's

planned submission of a software update and training revisions,

but it is still not clear when that will be submitted.

The FAA has said it has no timetable for ending the

grounding of the airplane, while Boeing said last month it had

completed its software upgrade but was still working to address

information requests from the FAA before it can schedule a

certification test flight and submit final certification

documentation.

Acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell told reporters on May 23

in Texas after a meeting with more than 30 international air

regulators that the agency had not decided yet on training

requirements. 

Reuters

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