'Boeing 737 Max' Crashed Twice, Now Bolt with Missing Nut Found... 1,370 Units Worldwide Under Urgent Inspection

Boeing Requests 737 Max Inspections from Airlines Worldwide

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has requested inspections from airlines worldwide that operate its flagship passenger aircraft, the 737 Max. This request comes after multiple cases were discovered where screws in the rudder system of the aircraft were missing or loosely fastened.

On the 28th (local time), US media outlets including CNN Business reported that a recent routine inspection by an international airline found a bolt with a missing nut in the rudder control linkage of a 737 Max and notified Boeing. The aircraft's rudder is a critical safety system essential for controlling and stabilizing the aircraft during flight. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a double check of this component before flight.

Boeing 737 Max passenger aircraft. [Image source=Boeing official website·Yonhap News]

After the defect was found during the routine inspection, Boeing requested airlines operating the same model?1,370 aircraft worldwide?to verify their safety. A Boeing spokesperson stated in a press release, "The issue identified on specific aircraft has been addressed," and added, "Out of an abundance of caution, we ask airlines to inspect their 737 Max aircraft and notify us if any issues are found." However, Boeing also emphasized that "there have been no accidents during operation caused by the bolt fastening issue discovered this time."

The FAA plans to closely monitor inspection progress reports from airlines. The FAA stated, "If loose or missing parts are found, we will consider additional measures." However, it also added, "Since pilots check the rudder before takeoff, the likelihood of problems occurring during flight is low. Major airlines such as United Airlines and American Airlines have also stated that operations will not be affected."

Meanwhile, the 737 Max is a model that was grounded worldwide for 20 months after two crashes in October 2018 and March 2019, which resulted in a total of 346 fatalities. David Suchy, a safety analyst at CNN, pointed out, "If the aircraft was delivered to airlines with missing parts, it means that Boeing's safety culture and inspection processes over the past three years have not been effective."

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