(DailyDig.com) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered an inspection of Boeing 737 planes on July 8. They ordered the inspection of 2,600 planes due to the potential failure of the oxygen masks to deploy during an emergency.
The FAA received reports about the 737 Next Generation and MAX planes after several reports indicated that the oxygen generators for the passengers had shifted out of their proper positions, as reported by the news media. In an emergency depressurization, the problem with the generators shifting could prevent passengers from receiving the oxygen they need to sustain their lives.
Boeing sent a bulletin on June 17 to airlines requesting visual inspections of the oxygen generators on the 737s. Boeing instructed the airlines to examine the straps installed in 2019 that prevent the generators from shifting. They had seen that the adhesive straps allowed the generators to shift, and they had returned to the previous successful adhesive, which kept the generator from shifting. All new 737 deliveries will feature the original adhesive straps, but inspections of the current 737s will be necessary. They added that no inspection had yet revealed a problem.
The July 8 inspection order by the FAA included the new adoption of an airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing 737 planes. This was advised after several reports of the passenger service unit (PSU) generators for the oxygen having shifted from their original position. The AD mandates visual inspections to verify the proper functioning of the PSU retention straps. They added that the AD includes a prohibition on the retention or installation of parts that are not working properly.
Airlines are required by the FAA’s order to do a visual inspection and replace any defective oxygen generators with the correct ones. Any FAA AD addresses common aviation safety concerns. Over the last year or so, Boeing has had increased safety issues, which forced the FAA to issue ADs with the force of legal action if not complied with.
The AD was effective immediately, and inspections are required by 120 and 150 days, along with corrections if needed, according to the FAA.
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