Boeing has issued a recommendation for airlines to inspect its 737 Max airplanes for a potential issue related to the rudder control systems. This call for inspections comes in response to the discovery of a bolt with a missing nut by an international operator. While Boeing assured that the problem identified on the specific airplane has been resolved, the company is urging operators to conduct inspections as a precautionary measure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is closely monitoring the targeted inspections to investigate the possibility of a loose bolt in the rudder control system.
Boeing suggested that airlines perform these checks, which take about two hours, within the next two weeks. The rudder control system is a critical component used to manage the aircraft during flight. Any problems related to a faulty rudder would likely be identified during routine pre-flight checks, as flight crews routinely examine the system before takeoff.
The FAA emphasized its commitment to closely monitoring the situation, ensuring the safety of flights involving Boeing 737 Max airplanes. Boeing, in its statement, expressed proactive collaboration with the FAA, customers, and operators to address the situation promptly and maintain safety standards.
It’s noteworthy that Boeing’s 737 Max was grounded globally for 20 months after two catastrophic accidents in Ethiopia and Indonesia resulted in 346 fatalities. The aircraft was subsequently cleared to resume passenger flights by US regulators in 2020 after extensive safety improvements and modifications were implemented. While the recent issue with the rudder control system is being treated with caution, both Boeing and aviation authorities are focused on maintaining the highest safety standards in air travel.
