SEATTLE- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced its intention to require a solution for a recently identified design issue in the new 737 MAX, a problem brought to light by Boeing.
While the likelihood of occurrence is remote, the flaw theoretically has the potential to disable the jet’s engine anti-ice system.
FAA 737 MAX and 787 Anti-Ice System Issues
This development follows a separate flaw in the MAX’s engine anti-ice system design that attracted attention in January, leading Boeing to withdraw a request for an exemption from critical safety regulations.
Significantly, the issue with the engine anti-ice system is not exclusive to the MAX, reported Seattle Times.
Airlines have reported a distinct issue with a comparable system found on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, resulting in what the FAA deems as “relatively minor” damage to the engine inlets on approximately two dozen of these widebody jets currently in operation.
While the FAA does not perceive either problem as an immediate threat to flight safety, it issued separate notices in February proposing two airworthiness directives.
The first directive aims to mandate a fix for the engine anti-ice system on the 737 MAX, while the second outlines inspection and repair procedures for the same system on the 787. These directives are pending a redesign that will provide a permanent solution.
Boeing had previously issued guidelines suggesting that airlines implement the actions the FAA now plans to mandate within three years for the 737 MAX and within 30 months for the 787.
No Impact on Operations
In a statement, Boeing conveyed that it brought both issues to the attention of the FAA and airlines as part of its comprehensive efforts to enhance airplane safety.
When an immediate safety risk is identified, the FAA issues an urgent emergency directive necessitating immediate action before further flights are permitted. However, in the case of these two proposed airworthiness directives, there is no such urgent grounding.
Both directives are open for public comments until April, indicating a relatively low perceived risk. Action will only be mandated after this period, likely aligning with the timeframe recommended by Boeing in each instance.
The FAA clarified that the allotted time to address an identified problem depends on “the risk associated with the unsafe condition.”
Nevertheless, considering these two Boeing jets are operational 24/7 worldwide, even a remote vulnerability cannot be disregarded. The required fixes must be implemented.
Boeing issued a service bulletin (SB) in November 2022 to notify airlines and detail the necessary remedy, a fix that the FAA will now enforce.
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