Aircraft safety in focus- Missing washer identified in Boeing 737 Max during DGCA Inspection

Aircraft safety in focus: Missing washer identified in Boeing 737 Max during DGCA Inspection

Amid the turbulence surrounding Boeing jets right now globally, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said that about 40 Boeing 737 Max planes with Indian carriers have been inspected for possible loss hardware and during the inspection, one aircraft had a washer missing.

Akasa Air and Air India Express and SpiceJet fleets collectively have 40 Boeing 737 Max planes.

Boeing suggested conducting a comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 737 Max aircraft by January 10 to check for potential issues with loose hardware. This recommendation was prompted by reports from an operator who discovered a missing nut and washer in the Aft Rudder Quadrant of a Boeing 737 Max plane.

It is worth noting that the inspection was recommended before the Alaska Airlines incident, that is now making headlines everywhere and has prompted several actions, and is not related to it.

On Tuesday, a senior DGCA official reported that inspections on 39 out of the 40 Boeing 737 Max planes operated by three Indian carriers have been concluded, revealing no issues. However, one aircraft was an exception, as it was found to have a missing washer during the inspection.

“Rectification action as per recommendations of Boeing has been taken prior to the release of this aircraft. Inspection on the remaining one aircraft will be completed prior to release for service,” the official said.

(With PTI inputs)