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Boeing 737 MAX 7: de-icing system threatens to overheat
Photo: Seattle Aviation Images/dpa
Boeing's losing streak continues. After the incident with a cabin part falling out during the flight and other breakdowns such as a cracked windshield, the US aircraft manufacturer apparently no longer believes in one of its designs.
In any case, Boeing has withdrawn its application to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an exemption for the safety certification of its 737 MAX 7 passenger aircraft. Although it is confident "that the proposed temporary exemption for this system follows established FAA processes to ensure safe operations," the company said it wants to "introduce a technical solution that will be completed during the certification process."
The chairwoman of the Aviation Investigation Commission spoke out against Boeing's application last week due to safety concerns. She noted that the exemption requested by Boeing “concerns a de-icing system that could overheat and cause the engine nacelle to separate and tear off. This could cause debris to penetrate the fuselage and endanger passengers in window seats behind the wing. With the exemption, the aircraft could have gone into commercial operation early.
Airlines let down
Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell, chairwoman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and Tammy Duckworth, chairwoman of the Aviation Safety Subcommittee, had previously called on the FAA to reject the request. "Boeing should never have applied for this exemption to put another new aircraft into service with a known safety defect," Duckworth said. "I hope that this decision marks the beginning of a shift in Boeing's safety culture."
Meanwhile, regulators have asked pilots to limit use of the de-icing system in dry conditions because the inlets around the engines could become too hot, causing parts of the casing to break off. The problem only affects certain newer 737 MAX 7 aircraft because the engine inlets are made of carbon fiber composite materials rather than metal. Southwest Airlines, the primary buyer of the 737 MAX 7, said last week that it has removed the model from its 2024 fleet plans while Boeing works to certify the plane.
Boeing recently came under heavy criticism after a part of the fuselage fell out of another version of the aircraft - a 737 MAX 9 - during the flight. Miraculously, no passenger on the Alaska Airlines flight was swept into the depths. The 737 Max entered service in May 2017. Two aircraft of the type crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. All MAX jets were grounded worldwide for almost two years. Meanwhile, Boeing changed the automatic flight control system that had pushed the planes' noses down due to faulty sensor measurements.
Recently, deliveries of the MAX were interrupted again to correct manufacturing errors. The company also asked airlines to check aircraft for a possible loose screw in the rudder control system.
Boeing executive Stan Deal told Boeing employees last week that the company must now help airlines resume operations. "Frankly, we have disappointed and let them down." We regret the frustration of customers, "some of whom have been publicly and unfairly criticized."
April/Reuters/AP