Boeing’s Bolt Blunder: 737 MAX Airplanes May Have Loose Hardware

The Boeing 737 MAX Airplanes has been under intense scrutiny since being grounded in 2019 after two deadly crashes. Now, Boeing is recommending airlines inspect their 737 MAX Airplanes fleets due to a potential safety issue discovered during routine maintenance.

Specifically, Boeing has asked airlines to check for loose or missing bolts that could impact the rudder control system. This latest development comes as airlines worldwide have only recently resumed 737 Max flights following a prolonged grounding and re-certification process.

While Boeing has said the issue was fixed on the plane where it was initially found, they are asking all 737 MAX Airplanes operators to inspect their fleets out of an abundance of caution. Aviation regulators are monitoring the situation closely.

This inspection request raises renewed questions around the 737 Max’s safety and reliability. Boeing maintains the issue is minor and easily remedied. However, after past problems with this aircraft model, any potential defect will be scrutinized heavily.

737 MAX Airplanes Boeing Recommends Inspections

Boeing has recommended that airlines conduct inspections of their Boeing 737 Max fleets after an issue was discovered during routine maintenance on one of the planes. Specifically, Boeing is urging operators to inspect tie rods that control rudder movement on newer single-aisle planes to check for any loose hardware.

The recommendation comes after an international operator found a bolt with a missing nut while performing maintenance. Boeing also discovered an additional undelivered 737 Max aircraft that had a nut which was not properly tightened.

While the issue has been fixed on the plane where it was originally discovered, Boeing has advised airlines to inspect their fleets out of an abundance of caution. The inspections are targeted at newer Boeing single-aisle planes, especially the 737 Max.

Boeing states they have informed regulators, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), about the issue and will continue to keep them updated. The company says its recommendation for targeted inspections provides a way for airlines to identify and address any potential issue through their standard maintenance procedures.

Issue Discovered During Maintenance

An international operator recently discovered a bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance on a Boeing 737 MAX airplane. The issue was found on a mechanism in the rudder-control linkage.

Upon this discovery, Boeing recommended that airlines operating the 737 MAX inspect their fleets for similar issues as a precaution. The missing nut indicates a potential problem with bolts coming loose on critical flight control systems. While the specific airplane where this was found has already been fixed, Boeing decided inspections across 737 MAX fleets were prudent.

Loose or missing nuts on linkage bolts could lead to impaired rudder control. This is an essential flight control surface that helps steer the airplane. Boeing wants to ensure this is an isolated incident and not a systemic hardware issue that could impact flight safety. The inspections will check for other instances where linkage nuts may have come off or loosened.

Potential Impact of Airlines and Planes

The loosening of bolts in the rudder control system could potentially impact numerous airlines and planes. Boeing has delivered over 450 of the 737 MAX globally, and many of those are still in service.

Specifically in India, three airlines – Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express – have 737 MAX planes in their fleet that could require inspection. The total number of 737 MAX planes across these three airlines is estimated to be around 70-80 aircraft.

If the issue is more widespread, hundreds of 737 MAX worldwide could need inspection and maintenance to replace any loose or missing bolts. This would be very costly and time-consuming for airlines still recovering from the pandemic.

The rudder system is critical for controlling the aircraft, so any loosening of bolts would raise serious safety concerns. That’s why regulators and airlines are acting quickly to inspect the planes. They want to ensure no rudder control issues emerge that could put passenger safety at risk.

The FAA Regulator Monitoring

The FAA issued a statement on December 28 that it was closely monitoring the “targeted inspection” of Boeing 737 Max planes for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system. The FAA said it would remain in contact with Boeing and the airlines as the inspections proceed.

The agency requested that airlines work through their approved Safety Management Systems to determine if any loose hardware had been detected previously. The FAA also asked for details on how quickly the two-hour inspections could be completed.

The FAA stated it would consider additional action based on any further discovery of loose or missing hardware. According to the FAA, Boeing recommended the inspections after an international operator found a bolt with a missing nut during routine maintenance. Boeing also found an additional undelivered aircraft with an improperly tightened nut.

Boeing Statement

In a statement on December 29, Boeing said the issue identified on the particular airplane has been remedied. The aircraft maker said it has informed the FAA and will continue to keep the regulator aware of the progress.

Boeing recommended the inspections after discovering a bolt with a missing nut while an international operator was performing routine maintenance. The company also found an additional undelivered aircraft with a nut that was not properly tightened.

Out of an abundance of caution, Boeing is recommending operators inspect their 737 MAX airplanes and inform Boeing of any findings related to the issue. Boeing remains in contact with the FAA regarding the inspections.

Airline Responses

Airlines around the world that have Boeing 737 Max planes in their fleets are taking steps to inspect their aircraft following Boeing’s recommendation.

In India, three airlines operate the 737 Max – Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express. Akasa Air said it is aware of Boeing’s recommendation and like all operators, will follow the checks and procedures recommended by Boeing and regulators in accordance with its high safety standards. The airline added that so far, its operating fleet and deliveries have not been impacted.

SpiceJet and Air India Express have not yet commented publicly on how they plan to respond to Boeing’s recommendation to inspect a specific tie rod component that controls rudder movement.

Globally, operators with the 737 Max are expected to inspect their fleets by working through their FAA-approved Safety Management Systems. The goal is to identify if any loose hardware has been detected before, and report back on how quickly the recommended two-hour inspections can be completed across their fleets.

The FAA said it will consider further action based on findings from the operator inspections. For now, the regulator is focused on monitoring the inspection process and remaining in contact with both Boeing and the airlines as they carry out these targeted checks.

Reason for Safety Concern

This issue with potentially loose hardware on the Boeing 737 MAX is concerning for air safety if not addressed. The rudder control system on airplanes is critical for steering and controlling the aircraft during flight. A loose bolt or nut could potentially cause a loss of control of the rudder system. This would make it very difficult for pilots to steer the airplane and could lead to an inability to maintain control during flight.

While the risk of a catastrophic incident may be low, anytime there is an issue identified with flight controls on an aircraft model, it needs to be taken very seriously by manufacturers, airlines, and regulators. The safety of passengers and crew should be the top priority. That’s why Boeing has recommended immediate inspections on the global 737 MAX fleet. And it’s why regulators like the FAA are closely monitoring the situation and considering potential additional actions if more issues are found. Loose nuts, bolts or improper assembly in critical flight systems simply can’t be tolerated. This is fundamentally about ensuring the highest levels of safety and preventing any future air disasters related to equipment malfunction. That is why this issue warrants close scrutiny and urgent action by all involved.

Next Steps

Boeing and regulators will need to work closely with airlines operating the 737 MAX to ensure that inspections are completed thoroughly and any issues are addressed. Though Boeing says the issue has been remedied on the one plane where it was initially found, they have recommended inspections out of an abundance of caution.

Completing these inspections across all 737 MAX fleets will be a priority in the coming days and weeks. Boeing will likely provide guidance and support to streamline the process. They will want to conduct a root cause analysis to determine if there are any systemic issues that allowed loose hardware to be present in the first place. Understanding this will help prevent it from happening again.

Regulators like the FAA will monitor the inspections and expect detailed reports from Boeing and operators. They may consider additional directives or oversight depending on the findings.

For airlines, this will mean fitting the inspections into their maintenance schedules as soon as possible. They will need to follow Boeing’s technical guidance to check the specified areas and report back on whether any loose hardware is found. If issues are found, they will need to ground those planes until repairs can be made.

Overall, open communication and transparency between all parties will be essential in the coming weeks. Boeing and the regulators will aim to ensure this does not become a major safety issue. With coordinated action, they are likely optimistic that the situation can be addressed effectively. But it will be an ongoing process requiring vigilance and care from all involved.

Conclusion of 737 MAX Airplanes

The recent discovery of a missing nut on the rudder control mechanism of a Boeing 737 MAX during routine maintenance checks has led Boeing to recommend inspections across the MAX fleet. While the issue has been remedied in the plane where it was initially found, the problem points to a potential lapse in manufacturing standards that could compromise flight safety if left unchecked.

Boeing has acted responsibly in informing airlines and regulators worldwide about its recommendation for targeted inspections. Operators of the MAX, including India’s Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express, are cooperating to conduct these precautionary checks expeditiously. Though no accidents due to this issue have occurred, and fleets continue normal operations, Boeing’s advice highlights the critical importance of maintenance rigor and safety margins in aircraft design.

Thorough inspections should uncover any similar defects and allow for prompt repairs. With regulators monitoring the situation, and Boeing’s continued transparency, the traveling public can remain confident in the MAX’s airworthiness. But this incident emphasizes how even basic manufacturing issues must be identified and addressed through proper protocols. Boeing and airlines now have the opportunity to take appropriate corrective actions and reinforce best practices. Their handling of this situation will demonstrate a shared commitment to safety first.