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THE US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently ordered Boeing Co to fix bonding problems in the electrical systems of some of its 737 MAX planes.
Problems in the 737 MAX’s electrical systems could result in the loss of protection of the aircraft’s engines from ice and critical functions on the flight deck. The FAA says the problem affects 109 aircraft worldwide sent to airlines, including 71 in the United States.
The FAA warned that, if not corrected, these electrical system problems could affect the operation of certain systems, including protection of machines from ice, and result in loss of critical functionality and/or multiple simultaneous flight deck effects, which could impede continued safe flight and landing.
In total, three more planes were affected than previously thought. Boeing identified other planes that were also affected. Earlier, Boeing confirmed the delivery of the 737 MAX aircraft was suspended due to electrical problems.
The FAA said the affected aircraft were produced after a design change in early 2019. There are more than 300 additional aircraft undelivered for Boeing to repair, according to FAA documents and sources briefed on the matter.
Boeing on April 7 recommended that operators stop flights because it was fixing a power system problem.
Boeing said in a statement that it fully supports “the FAA directive to address electrical problems identified at specific locations on the flight deck of some 737 MAX aircraft.
“We have worked closely with the FAA and our customers to complete two repair service bulletins which will ensure adequate grounding in problem areas on the MAX 737 aircraft.
Meanwhile Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun on Wednesday (28/4) in an email told employees that the company is finalizing plans and documentation with the FAA to outline the process required for operators to return their aircraft for repair service. [antaranews/photo special]
