FAA Orders Airlines to Inspect Older 737s

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a directive ordering U.S. airlines to inspect their older 737s because the wing fuel tanks could be punctured by loose or broken parts. A similar episode occurred on a newer model 737 last year, and the China Airlines plane exploded in flames after it landed in Okinawa, Japan. All 165 passengers and crew members safely scrambled down emergency chutes or jumped from cockpit windows (watch for story coming in the April issue of Aviation Maintenance). The FAA said it is working with Boeing to determine if a "similar unsafe condition" exists on other Boeing airplane types, since they incorporate a similar design. "As a result, we may consider additional rule-making as those evaluations are completed," the agency said. The latest directive affects some 3,500 older 737s in operation worldwide, although only U.S. operators are required to make the inspections. But air safety authorities in other countries usually follow the FAA's lead. In the U.S., about 650 planes must be inspected, according to the FAA. The rule goes into effect April 8. The concern involves the assembly that moves the wing slats on the 737-300, 737-400 and 737-500. Unlike flaps, the slats are on the front of the wings. "Boeing has notified us that it has received numerous reports of fuel leaking from the slat track housing," the FAA directive said. In all cases, according to the directive, there were no reports of a fire because of the fuel leak. But the federal agency warned that a fire could result from such a fuel leak.
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