US aviation regulator identifies risk of detachment of 31,000 seats on Boeing 737 Max

Safety issue with Boeing 737 Max aircraft

According to УНІАН — Туризм: The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States has identified a serious safety issue with Boeing 737 Max aircraft. According to information, 31,000 seats on these aircraft are improperly installed, which could lead to their detachment from the rails during severe turbulence or emergency situations. The new directive affects 453 planes of the Boeing models 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 based in the US.

Inspection and costs

Airlines operating these planes will need to inspect and rework up to 69 seats on each of them. In particular, United Airlines has about 284 Boeing 737 Max planes affected by this issue, while Southwest Airlines operates over 260 such planes. The inspection of each seat costs approximately 85 dollars, totaling at least 2.6 million dollars for 1,028 Boeing planes.

A representative of Boeing noted that recommendations for operators were published back in December last year. At the same time, Boeing conducts inspections of seat installations before the release of aircraft, so new models of the Boeing 737 should not have this issue.

This news about the problems with seats on the Boeing 737 Max raises concerns, especially considering past incidents involving these aircraft. For example, in January 2021, a Boeing 737 crashed in Indonesia shortly after taking off from Jakarta Airport, claiming 62 lives on board. Other accidents, such as the crash of Mexicana flight 940 on March 31, 1986, where a Boeing 727 fell near Las Mesas, taking the lives of 167 passengers and crew members, are also worth mentioning.

Additionally, a recent incident occurred on a Ryanair Boeing 737 aircraft where a passenger was partially pulled out of a window. Preliminary data suggests that the cause of this incident was a fragment from the engine that shattered the acrylic window.

These events highlight the importance of ensuring proper installation and inspection of seats in aircraft to prevent potential hazardous situations in the future.

Identifying the issue with seats on Boeing 737 Max aircraft is critical to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. This situation could impact the reputation of the manufacturer and the airlines operating these planes, as well as lead to additional costs for inspections and repairs. Calls for increased safety oversight mirror the overall trend in the aviation industry aimed at reducing risks and improving conditions for passengers.

As concerns about the safety of the Boeing 737 Max grow, it is essential to consider other recent incidents involving this aircraft model. A notable case occurred when a passenger was partially ejected through a broken window on a Ryanair flight, highlighting the potential risks associated with structural integrity in aviation. For more details on this alarming event, see our coverage of the Ryanair incident involving a passenger.