Log-in here if you’re already a subscriber
The Federal Aviation Administration on August 8 published a planned airworthiness directive for the 737 Max fleet warning of a scenario that could significantly damage the aircraft if the engine inlet overheats.
Although the issue has not been experienced in service by any of the nearly 1,300 737 Max -8, -9 and -8200 aircraft that have been delivered by Boeing, the emergent issue has contributed to extending the final leg and added to the company’s certification workload for the 737 Max 7.
Related: Boeing exits 2022 with congressional exemption for Max
Concurrently, Boeing has been progressing through 737 Max 10 development, and while the company has maintained its 2024 target for regulatory clearance, that approval is now not expected any earlier than June 2024, according to a person familiar with the company’s expectations.
While the FAA said it received a report on the potential for damage from overheating in June, The Air Current learned in December 2022 that Boeing was aware of the issue as it worked to complete the protracted development of the 737 Max 7 and Max 10.
Subscribe to continue reading...Subscribe to Continue Reading
Our award-winning aerospace reporting combines the highest standards of journalism with the level of technical detail and rigor expected by a sophisticated industry audience.
- Exclusive reporting and analysis on the strategy and technology of flying
- Full access to our archive of industry intelligence
- We respect your time; everything we publish earns your attention
