Boeing 737 Max
3 Indian airlines to undergo safety check on Boeing 737 Max after loose bolt alert
New Delhi/IBNS: An alert over a loose bolt in new-built Boeing 737 Max passenger aircraft has prompted airlines in India that operate this type to carry out checks to ensure there are no defects that can affect flight safety.
India's aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is closely monitoring the situation and has been in touch with Akasa, Air India Express, and SpiceJet, which operate the aircraft.
This comes after the US Federation Aviation Administration said it is closely monitoring targeted inspections of Boeing 737 MAX airplanes to look for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system.
The plane manufacturer has said the issue identified on a particular aircraft has been fixed and asked airlines to inspect their Boeing 737 Max fleet.
The DGCA has said it is in touch with its US counterpart and Boeing and that the checks currently being carried out are part of the regular process to ensure flight safety.
"This has been an ongoing issue with Max 737 and these are service bulletins issued from time to time by Boeing to the airline operators for the suggested action whenever any issue comes across. We have been in touch with Boeing, FAA and our airline operators in the past too on such issues concerning 737 Max," the DGCA said in a statement.
"In such cases, mitigation as recommended by the Original Equipment Manufacturers is carried out by the airline operator as has been done in the past in respect of 737 Max," it added.
An Akasa Air spokesperson has said Boeing had informed them about the issue. "Like all operators around the world, and in accordance with our highest standards of safety, Akasa will be following the same checks and procedures that the manufacturer or regulator recommends. Our operating fleet and deliveries are not impacted so far," it said.
A SpiceJet spokesperson said the fresh alert will have no impact on its operations. A response from Air India Express is expected soon.
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