The coronavirus crisis has hit the airline industry hard, blocking many planes on the ground. A drop in the frequency of thefts which can damage certain devices. The US aviation regulatory agency, the FAA, has ordered the inspection of around 2,000 Boeing 737 NG and Classic aircraft that have not flown for at least seven days, after identifying problems with valves that could lead to a reactor failure.
With planes “parked on the ground or used less frequently” because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the valves concerned may be “more sensitive to corrosion,” Boeing acknowledged. Also "by excess of caution", the manufacturer has already advised customers with these 737s to inspect them.
A valve scrutinized with attention
Planes are usually subjected to a thorough examination when they are about to fly away after several days of being stationary. However, faced with the fall in air transport since the start of the pandemic, airlines have had to temporarily put away many of their devices.
The FAA says it has ordered more specific inspections on the 737 NG and the 737 Classic after "four recent reports of engine failures linked to control valves (…) stuck in the open position". "If this valve opens normally at take-off power, it may get stuck in the open position during flight and not close when power is reduced at the start of descent, causing the compressor to stall irreversibly and the impossibility to restart the engine ”, specifies the FAA in its directive. This could ultimately "lead to an emergency landing".
Boeing available to airlines
Also "if corrosion is found" during the inspection, "the valve must be replaced before the unit is returned to service", the agency requires. Boeing said it was ready to provide information on inspections and possible part replacements if the owners of the affected aircraft spotted a problem.
The manufacturer comes as Boeing strives to get the FAA green light for the 737 MAX, which has been banned from flying for more than a year after two fatal accidents. The aircraft completed a series of certification flights in early July but still has to go through several stages before it can return to the sky.
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