Boeing has suspended the delivery of certain 737 MAXs due to a new issue with one of its suppliers
On Thursday, Boeing announced that it has suspended the delivery of certain 737 MAX aircraft due to a new supplier quality problem with Spirit Aero Systems that may date back to 2019. This latest issue is expected to impact a "significant" number of undelivered 737 MAX planes, both those in production and storage. As a result, Boeing anticipates a reduction in 737 MAX deliveries in the near future.
Boeing has clarified that the new supplier problem affects only a portion of the 737 MAX family, which includes MAX 7, MAX 8, and MAX 8200 airplanes, as well as the P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft based on the 737 NG. However, the company has assured that this is not a safety-of-flight issue, and in-service planes can continue to operate without any safety concerns.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that it has reviewed and validated Boeing's evaluation that there is no immediate safety risk posed by the supplier quality problem. The agency has also stated that it will assess all affected aircraft before their delivery.
According to Boeing,
The issue stems from the incorrect installation of two fittings that connect the aft fuselage made by Spirit with the vertical tail. The fittings were not properly attached to the fuselage structure before being sent to Boeing. It is worth noting that certain versions of the aircraft, such as the MAX 9, use fittings from different suppliers, which were installed correctly.
Although Spirit notified Boeing about the new supplier quality problem on Wednesday, the issue is believed to have existed since 2019, and Boeing is still assessing the extent of its impact on the affected aircraft.
When asked whether this issue will affect its plans to increase 737 production rates this year, Boeing declined to comment. The company had previously announced plans to deliver at least 400 MAXs in 2023, and in the first quarter of 2023, it delivered 111 MAXs. Furthermore, the company had aimed to increase monthly MAX production rates from 31 to 38 by June. However, it remains to be seen if this latest supplier problem will affect those plans.
Boeing has informed the FAA about the supplier quality issue and is working to conduct inspections and replace the non-conforming fittings as necessary. The company has also expressed regret about the impact this issue will have on affected customers and is in contact with them regarding their delivery schedules.
Source Reuter
