Boeing urges 737 MAX inspections for possible loose bolt -FAA
By David Shepardson and Valerie Insinna
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Airplane maker Boeing (NYSE:BA) is urging airlines to inspect newer 737 MAX airplanes for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Thursday.
The FAA said it was «closely monitoring» Boeing 737 MAX targeted inspections and will consider additional action based on any further discovery of loose or missing hardware.
Boeing recommended inspections after an international operator discovered a bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance on a mechanism in the rudder-control linkage, the FAA said. Boeing discovered an additional undelivered aircraft with a nut not properly tightened, the agency said.
«The issue identified on the particular airplane has been remedied,» Boeing said. «Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending operators inspect their 737 MAX airplanes and inform us of any findings. We informed the FAA and our customers and will continue to keep them aware of the progress.»
The planemaker has recommended that airlines inspect their MAXs within two weeks, but delivered 737 MAX planes can continue to fly safely, Boeing said. Production and delivery of the MAX will continue.
The issue does not affect older-model 737 Next Generation planes, Boeing said.
United Airlines said it did not «anticipate these inspections will have an impact on our operations.»
The FAA said Boeing had issued a message urging operators of newer single-aisle airplanes to inspect specific tie rods that control rudder movement for possible loose hardware.
The inspections involve taking off an access panel and validating that the hardware had been properly installed, Boeing said. The process should
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