Aviation
Commercial /
USA
737 MAX
Boeing suspends deliveries due to quality issues with structural parts supplier
Boeing 737 MAX 8
Image: Boeing
Rafael Ramos
4/14/2023
The supplier responsible for structural parts of the 737 MAX, Spirit Aerosystems, notified Boeing of an issue involving the parts for the installation that joins the vertical stabilizer to the plane's fuselage.
Boeing has halted deliveries of new aircraft, but said the fleet that is already in operation will not have safety issues. However, the problem will affect the pace of production and deliveries of the company.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has validated Boeing's information, saying there are no immediate safety issues.
"We expect lower deliveries of the 737 MAX in the near term while this necessary work is completed. We regret the impact this issue will have on affected customers and are in contact with them regarding the delivery schedule," Boeing said in a statement.
However, not all MAXs had the problem. Boeing is studying which planes are affected. It is suspected that the problems have been happening since 2019. In addition, some versions, such as the MAX 9, use parts from other suppliers, so they were not affected.
Boeing has yet to comment, but the company will likely have to revise its forecasts on MAX deliveries for this year, which currently stand at 400 units. 111 have already been delivered in the first quarter of 2023.
Boeing 737 MAX Winglet
Image: Boeing
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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