Boeing urges inspections of 737 Max planes for ‘possible loose bolt’

Key Points

• Urgent Inspection Advisory: Boeing is advising airlines to conduct inspections on their 737 Max planes due to a potential issue with the rudder control system involving a “possible loose bolt.” The recommendation follows the discovery by an international operator of a bolt with a missing nut during routine maintenance, prompting Boeing to identify a similar concern with an undelivered aircraft where a nut was not properly tightened.
• Precautionary Measures: Boeing has recommended these inspections as a precautionary measure, emphasizing that the specific issue identified on the particular airplane has been addressed. The inspections are estimated to take about two hours per plane, and Boeing has committed to conducting them on all new 737 Max planes before they are delivered to customers. The company urges operators to report any findings during the inspections.
• Limited Operational Impact: Airlines, including Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, are responding to Boeing’s advisory by initiating inspections. Alaska Airlines plans to begin inspections promptly and anticipates completing them in the first half of January, assuring that no operational impact is expected. Similarly, United Airlines, a major customer for the 737 Max, has expressed confidence that its operations will not be adversely affected by the identified rudder control issue. Despite these assurances, Boeing’s shares experienced a more than 1% decline in afternoon trading.