The Federal Aviation Administration is ordering newer Boeing 737 aircraft to be inspected following the recent fire that engulfed a China Airlines jet. The order will affect nearly 800 Boeing 737-600, -700, -800, -900, and -900ERs in use in the United States. Most likely the order will extend to the 2,200 aircraft in these series worldwide.
The -700 series which only entered into service with Southwest Airlines in 1998 is apart of the order. Many other airlines including American, Continental and Delta all operate any of the aircraft ordered to be inspected.
Investigators in Japan found that a bolt from a right wing slat had pierced the fuel tank of the Taiwanese jetliner that caught fire after landing. The wing slats come out during landing and takeoff to stabilize the aircraft.
The FAA ordered a detailed inspection within 24 days. And the FAA ordered this process be repeated at least every 3,000 takeoff and landing cycles.
CNN Money
Yea, except that Southwest never operated or ordered the -600. The only North American operator of the -600 is WestJet in Canada.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 27, 2007 11:48 PM | Permalink to Comment