New Delhi:
A warning about a loose screw in a newly built Boeing 737 Max passenger plane has prompted airlines in India that operate the type to carry out checks to ensure there are no defects that could affect flight safety.
India's aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with Akasa, Air India Express and SpiceJet, which operate the aircraft.
This came after the US Federal Aviation Administration said it was closely monitoring targeted inspections of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to look for a possible loose screw in the rudder control system. The plane maker said the problem identified with a specific aircraft had been resolved and asked airlines to conduct an inspection of their Boeing 737 Max fleet.
The DGCA said it is in contact with its US counterpart and Boeing and that the checks currently being carried out are part of the regular process to ensure flight safety.
“This is an ongoing issue with the Max 737 and is a service bulletin that Boeing issues from time to time to airlines to help them take action when issues arise. “We have contacted Boeing, the FAA and our airlines in the past regarding such issues regarding 737 Max,” the DGCA said in a statement.
“In such cases, remedial actions recommended by the original equipment manufacturers will be implemented by the airline operator, as was the case with the 737 Max in the past,” it said.
A spokesman for Akasa Air said Boeing had informed them of the problem. “Like all operators around the world and in accordance with our highest safety standards, Akasa will follow the same controls and procedures as recommended by the manufacturer or regulator. Our operational fleet and deliveries have not been affected so far,” it said.
An Air India Express spokesperson said: “As per Boeing’s global advisory to all airlines, Air India Express will inspect its Boeing 737-8 aircraft within the timelines. Our unwavering commitment to safety remains paramount.”
A SpiceJet spokesman said the new warning would have no impact on operations.
The airline NDTV contacted says the inspection takes no more than two hours per aircraft.
Boeing 737 Max, the manufacturer's fastest-selling plane in history, was grounded worldwide in 2019 after crashes in Indonesia and Jakarta killed 356 people. The aircraft returned to service in early 2021.