Boeing urges 737 MAX to check for possible bolt loosening

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A Boeing 737 MAX-10 makes a flying display during the 54th International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

David Shepardson and Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Thursday that aircraft manufacturer Boeing (NYSE:) is urging airlines to inspect rudder control system bolts on new 737 MAX aircraft for loose bolts.

The FAA said it is “closely monitoring” inspections of the Boeing 737 MAX and will consider additional action if additional loose or missing hardware is discovered.

Boeing recommended the inspection after an international pilot discovered a bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance on the rudder control mechanism, the FAA said. Boeing said it discovered additional aircraft that were not delivered with nuts not properly tightened.

Boeing had no immediate comment.

United Airlines said it “does not expect these inspections to impact our operations.”

The FAA said Boeing has issued a message urging operators of its newest single-aisle aircraft to inspect specific tie rods that control rudder movement for loose hardware.

The FAA said it “will continue to communicate with Boeing and the airlines as the inspection progresses” and asked the airlines to respond if any previously loose hardware was found and provide details on how quickly the two-hour inspection can be completed. I made a request to the airline. .

The 737 MAX has been grounded globally for 20 months after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Boeing is still awaiting certification of the smaller 737 MAX 7 and larger MAX 10.

The FAA examined the MAX carefully. In 2021, the FAA said it was using satellite data to track all 737 MAX aircraft.