New York (AFP)

The US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Friday accused Boeing of hiding important documents related to the certification of the 737 MAX, grounded for seven months after two accidents that killed 346 people.

Late last night (Thursday), Boeing alerted the Department of Transport to the existence of instant messages between two Boeing employees, discussing some elements of communication with the FAA during the initial certification of the 737 MAX in 2016, denounces the regulator in an email. "Boeing explained to the department that he discovered these documents several months ago" but did not share them with the FAA.

According to a source close to the file, the two employees mentioned the fact that misleading information had been communicated to the FAA on an important software of the 737 MAX.

Asked by AFP if the security system in question was MCAS anti-stall software implicated in accidents of Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air, the source said it could not disclose such information.

"The FAA found the substance of the documents worrying," the FAA said on Friday, saying it was "disappointed" that Boeing did not "immediately" bring these documents to his attention as soon as he became aware of them.

"The FAA is reviewing the information (contained in the documents) to determine what appropriate action to take against Boeing," says the regulator, whose proximity to Boeing has been denounced from all sides since the accidents.

To prove its independence, the FAA sent a letter Friday to Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing's boss, summoning him to explain.

"I'm waiting for your explanation immediately about the contents of this document and why Boeing has delayed disclosure to its safety regulator," Steve Dickson, an FAA official, wrote in the letter. by AFP.

On Wall Street, this information caused a decline of 3.75% of the Boeing action to 16H GMT, investors fearing that the rise in tone between Boeing and its main regulator may push back a little more 737 return to service. MAX.

In a brief statement, Boeing simply assures that he will continue to collaborate in the investigation by a House of Representatives committee. "We will continue to follow the instructions of the FAA and other regulators around the world as we work to revolve the 737 MAX safely."

© 2019 AFP