Boeing 737 Max airplanes are under scrutiny once again as Boeing has asked airlines to inspect all of their 737 Max jets for a potential loose bolt in the rudder system. The request comes after an unnamed international airline found a bolt with a missing nut in a rudder-control linkage mechanism while conducting routine maintenance. A similar bolt that wasn’t properly tightened was also discovered in a yet-to-be delivered plane.
Boeing has stated that the plane with the missing bolt has been fixed, but in an abundance of caution, the company is recommending operators inspect their 737 Max airplanes and inform Boeing of any findings. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also been informed and has stated that the inspection involves looking for “a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system.”
The rudder is a critical safety item, and the FAA requires a double inspection by two sets of eyes before the plane is ready for flight. Any further discovery of loose or missing hardware may prompt additional action from the FAA.
This is not the first issue Boeing has faced with the 737 Max aircraft. The grounding of the plane for 20 months following two deadly crashes led to substantial financial losses for the company. The Max has also encountered other problems, including a manufacturing issue with some aircraft after a supplier used a “non-standard manufacturing process.”
The Max has faced numerous notices for additional inspections since it returned to service, prompting concerns about the effectiveness of Boeing’s safety culture and inspection processes. In addition to the 737 Max issues, Boeing has also faced problems, delays, and financial charges with its other passenger jets, leading to massive operating losses in recent quarters.
Boeing’s request for inspections of all 737 Max jets raises concerns about the company’s ability to address and prevent potentially critical safety issues, raising questions about the company’s safety culture and the effectiveness of its quality control processes.