Boeing has urged airlines to inspect 737 Max aircraft for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration.
The US plane maker has issued a multi-operator message, urging operators of newer single-aisle planes to inspect specific tie rods that control rudder movement for possible loose hardware, the US regulatory body said on Thursday.
The FAA said it is closely monitoring targeted inspections.
“The FAA will remain in contact with Boeing and the airlines while the inspections are under way,” the agency said.
Major airline customers for Boeing’s 737 Max model include Southwest, United, American Airlines, Ryanair, flydubai, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines and some Chinese carriers.
Boeing recommended the inspections after an international operator discovered a bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance on a mechanism in the rudder-control linkage, said the FAA.
The company discovered an additional undelivered…
