A global “loose bolt alert” has been issued for the Boeing 737 Max passenger aircraft fleet, leading several airlines, including those in India, to conduct checks on their 737 Max planes. The alert was prompted after an undisclosed international airline found a bolt with a missing nut during routine maintenance. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also directed airlines to inspect the rudder control system for possible loose bolts.
Boeing, which has delivered over 1,370 of the 737 Max jets globally, including to Indian carriers like Akasa, Air India Express, and SpiceJet, issued the advisory in response to the discovery of a bolt with a missing nut. The company revealed that an additional undelivered aircraft was found to have an improperly tightened nut.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and working with airlines, the FAA, and Boeing. The DGCA highlighted that such issues with the 737 Max have been ongoing, with service bulletins issued by Boeing to address concerns and recommend actions.
The alert underscores the importance of routine maintenance checks and adherence to safety recommendations in aviation. The DGCA emphasized that when issues are identified, mitigation measures suggested by the original equipment manufacturers, such as Boeing, are carried out by the airline operators. This incident highlights the collaborative efforts between aviation regulators, manufacturers, and airlines to ensure the safety of aircraft in operation.
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