Focus Of Order Is Loose Bolts On "Slat Down-Stop Assembly"

The Federal Aviation Administration issued an Airworthiness Directive Monday, ordering eight US carriers to inspect their newer Boeing 737 wings for loose or missing parts in response to a fire that erupted on a China Airlines jet last week.

A loose wing-slat bolt is the likely culprit behind the punctured fuel tank on a China Airlines 737-800 that occurred while it was taxiing to its gate at Okinawa's Naha Airport. The resultant fire and explosion destroyed the aircraft, but all 165 people on board escaped on August 20, as ANN reported.

The carriers now have 24 days to check for any loose or missing parts, said Les Dorr, FAA spokesperson. The requirement covers a total of 783 737s.

"That was one of the things that prompted us to do this," Dorr said. "We and Boeing are still assessing the situation."

The affected airlines are Southwest Airlines Co., American Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc., Continental Airlines Inc., Air Tran Holdings, Inc.; Alaska Air Group Inc.; ATA Holdings Corp. and Aloha Airlines.

Boeing spokesperson Vicki Ray said the company sent a letter to everyone operating the 2,350 next-generation 737s to inspect the "slat down-stop assembly" and assess if assembly pieces are in place and tightened correctly.

Dorr said the FAA has received at least two reports of fuel leaks caused when slat parts came loose.

Boeing received four reports in 2005 of a nut from the assembly coming loose. The company felt this might cause a fuel leak and sent a service letter to operators, said Ray.

Operators of the Boeing 737- 600s, -700s, -700Cs, -800s, -900s and 900ERs must use a torque wrench on any nuts and bolts that have come loose, Dorr said. These must also be checked again 3,000 takeoffs and landings.

So far, Southwest has completed half of its inspections and hasn't "found anything that needed to be addressed," said Brandy King, an SWA spokesperson; Delta has finished four inspections, and expects to have them all finished before the deadline, spokeswoman Betsy Talton said; Continental has just begun inspections, said spokeswoman Julie King; American will "devote whatever resources it needs to get the inspections accomplished in the required time," said spokesman John Hotard.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.boeing.com