Amid the growing crisis over the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, the Aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday confirmed that all the Indian airlines that deploy the aircraft, have completed technical inspection of 40 Boeing 737 Max planes and it has been concluded that only in a single aircraft, a washer missing. However, the recommended action for rectification also has been taken.
“Indian Boeing 737MAX fleet of 40 is operated by Akasa (22), SpiceJet (9) and Air India Express (9). Inspections on 39 aircraft have been completed with nil findings except on one aircraft wherein a missing washer was found. Rectification action as per recommendations of Boeing has been taken prior to the release of this aircraft. Inspection on the remaining one aircraft will be completed prior to release for service,” said a senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official.
About the Boeing 737 Max crisis
The crisis involving the Boeing 737 Max aircraft was exacerbated on Monday following the United Airlines' finding which said that many loose bolts were found on multiple grounded Boeing aircraft. Boeing, reportedly, towards the end of 2023, had requested all the operators across the globe to carry out safety checks on this aircraft after finding a loose bolt in one of the planes.
In India, the list of Boeing 737 Max operators includes Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Airlines.
US regulators grounded 171 MAX 9 planes after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines-operated flight not long after taking off from a Portland, Oregon, airport on Friday, forcing pilots to scramble to land the plane safely.
