In response to the discovery of a bolt with a missing nut during routine maintenance by an international operator, Boeing has issued an advisory for airlines to inspect their B737 Max fleet. The identified issue on a specific airplane has been promptly addressed, according to a statement released by Boeing on Friday.
Notably, three major Indian airlines—Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express—operate B737 Max planes in their fleets. Akasa Air, in a statement on Saturday, mentioned that they were made aware of the issue by Boeing and assured passengers that their operating fleet and deliveries remain unaffected. The airline emphasized its commitment to following the checks and procedures recommended by the manufacturer or regulator in line with the highest safety standards.
On Thursday, the US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), released a statement indicating that it is closely monitoring targeted inspections to investigate a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system. Boeing has issued a Multi-Operator Message, advising operators of newer single-aisle aeroplanes to inspect specific tie rods responsible for rudder movement, focusing on potential issues with loose hardware.
The FAA has urged airlines to utilize their approved Safety Management Systems to identify whether any loose hardware has been detected previously and to provide details on the prompt completion of these two-hour inspections. During regular maintenance, the nut issue was discovered on a part of the rudder control, and Boeing reported finding another new plane with a nut not properly tightened, as per the FAA.
As the aviation industry works together to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft, this advisory from Boeing and the FAA emphasizes the importance of proactive inspections to maintain the integrity of the B737 Max fleet.