Boeing Co. and Southwest Airlines Co. have asked federal officials for more time to inspect certain passenger jets for cracks in the frame while a manufacturer produces more spare parts.
The aircraft maker notified airlines last October that cracks were found in one of its Boeing 717s. In May the Federal Aviation Administration proposed requiring inspections, and repairs if needed, to prevent a catastrophic breakup of a plane’s frame.
Southwest, whose AirTran subsidiary uses most of the 717s flown in the U.S., asked the FAA last month for more time to inspect and repair the planes because Boeing had no repair kits in stock and faced a 90-day reorder period, which the airline called “unacceptable.” Southwest said it faced “an operational and economical impact” if forced to ground planes, and it asked the FAA to hold off until Boeing builds up its stock of repair kits and replacement parts.
via Boeing, Southwest seek delay in plane inspections – Travel – News – msnbc.com.
