All Boeing 737 MAX aircraft have been grounded since March 2019 after two crashes that claimed the lives of 346 people. But while the manufacturer was preparing to return to service its devices, a new risk factor would have been detected.
An internal audit, carried out last December with the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), would have revealed a problem with two cable harnesses. The latter are too close, which could lead to a short circuit, reports the New York Times. However, a short circuit in this area of the aircraft could lead to a crash if the pilot did not react correctly.
Boeing 737 NG also checked
Boeing is continuing tests to determine if this defect requires modification of the 800 or so aircraft concerned. The manufacturer assures that such a modification would be relatively simple. "Our top priority is to ensure that the 737 MAX meets all regulatory and safety requirements before returning to service," said Gordon Johndroe, spokesperson for Boeing.
Checks will also be made on the 737 NG model, the predecessor of the 737 MAX, to find out if it is also affected by this defect. There are currently approximately 6,800 Boeing 737 NGs in circulation worldwide.
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