Loose Rudder Bolt Sends Maintainers on Hunt for Issues in Assembly

Targeted inspections for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft's rudder control system are the order of the day, searching for loose or missing parts.

Boeing issued a Multi-Operator Message urging operators of newer MAX aircraft to inspect specific tie rods and control rudder movement for possible loose hardware. The problem was investigated when a foreign MAX operator encountered a bolt with a missing nut during a routine maintenance inspection. Looking into the matter and giving some aircraft a once-over to see if similar cases happened elsewhere, Boeing found an "additional undelivered aircraft with a nut that was not properly tightened."

"The FAA will remain in contact with Boeing and the airlines while the inspections are underway," the Administration said in a press release. "The agency is asking the airlines to work through their approved Safety Management Systems to identify whether any loose hardware has been detected previously and to provide the agency with details on how quickly these two-hour inspections can be completed."

"The FAA will consider additional action based on any further discovery of loose or missing hardware," they added.

FMI: www.faa.gov