WASHINGTON- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) orders a seat-track inspection due to a manufacturing defect affecting Boeing 787 aircraft, prompting immediate action.
A proposed rule mandates inspections to address potential safety concerns caused by defective seat-track hardware.
The issue arises from incorrect materials used in manufacturing seat-track splice fittings, risking structural integrity during emergency situations. The FAA’s order impacts 37 U.S.-registered Boeing 787s, spanning multiple variants.
Photo: BoeingFAA Orders 787 Seat-Track Inspection
On January 15, the FAA released a proposed rule following reports from suppliers highlighting potential defects in Boeing 787 seat-track splice fittings, as flagged by FlightGlobal.
These defects stem from the use of incorrect titanium alloys, specifically, Grade 1 or 2 commercially pure unalloyed titanium instead of the FAA-approved Grade 5 titanium alloy.
Grade 1 and 2 alloys lack the strength, fatigue resistance, and damage-tolerance properties necessary to meet stringent aviation safety standards.
The faulty seat-track fittings could fail under emergency landing loads, posing a risk of passenger injury.
This concern has prompted the FAA to direct airlines operating the affected aircraft to conduct thorough inspections using advanced techniques such as X-ray fluorescent spectrometry or high-frequency eddy current testing.
In response to the issue, Boeing issued an Alert Requirements Bulletin on October 18, 2024. The bulletin outlined inspection protocols for identifying defective seat-track fittings and directed airlines to replace any non-compliant components.
The FAA’s proposed order formalizes these recommendations, making compliance mandatory for operators of US-registered Boeing 787s. Affected models include the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 variants.
Photo: Boeing737 MAX 9 Door Plug Inspection
Boeing is revising its guidance for airlines on inspecting mid-cabin emergency exit door plugs for 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must approve these updated procedures before the affected jets can return to service.
The grounding of 737 MAX 9 aircraft with these door plugs was prompted by a January 6 incident on an Alaska Airlines (AS) flight.
A door plug failure during the flight created a significant cabin hole, forcing the pilots to land safely in Portland without serious injuries to passengers or crew.
The FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive the same day, grounding 171 aircraft worldwide until inspections are completed.
Boeing initially provided inspection instructions on January 8, but feedback from operators prompted the company to revise its guidance. The FAA confirmed on January 9 that it will conduct a thorough review of the updated procedures once submitted.
“Every Boeing 737 MAX 9 with a plug door will remain grounded until the FAA determines it can safely return to operation,” the agency stated, emphasizing that safety will dictate the timeline.
Several carriers, including Aeromexico (AM), Alaska Airlines (AS), Copa Airlines (CM), Lion Air (JT), Turkish Airlines (TK), and United Airlines (UA), have grounded their 737 MAX 9 fleets in compliance with the directive.
Boeing CEO David Calhoun addressed employees on January 9, taking full responsibility for the situation and committing to full transparency throughout the investigation.
The company is cooperating with the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the root cause of the failure. “We’re going to acknowledge our mistake and work transparently every step of the way,” Calhoun assured.
This situation underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols and collaborative efforts between manufacturers, regulators, and operators to ensure the safety of the flying public.
Photo: Cado PhotoFAA Proposes 737NG and 757 Guidelines
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed new guidelines requiring airlines to replace overhead video monitors in Boeing 737NG and 757 aircraft.
This action follows an incident in which passenger service unit (PSU)-mounted monitors detached from their rails during a hard landing that remained within emergency load requirements.
The proposed rule, announced on January 15, addresses safety concerns highlighted by Boeing through Special Attention Requirements Bulletins.
These bulletins, issued to 737NG operators in December 2023 and 757 operators in January 2024, direct airlines to replace video monitors without secondary retention lanyards and secure lanyards to PSU rails.
The FAA emphasized that detached monitors could pose a risk to passengers, potentially causing injuries or obstructing emergency evacuations.
If finalized, the rule would apply to 459 U.S.-registered 737NGs of all variants and 85 757-200 and 757-300 aircraft equipped with monitors manufactured by Burrana and Panasonic.
Boeing has not provided further comments on the proposed measures. The FAA’s directive underscores its commitment to enhancing passenger safety by addressing risks associated with aging aircraft components.
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The post FAA Orders Boeing 787 Seat-Track Inspection Amid Manufacturing Defect appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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