Over 2,000 Boeing 737s To Be Inspected By FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered the inspection of 2,600 Boeing 737 jets over passenger oxygen masks.

The latest requirement puts added pressure on Boeing as it already faces strict oversight following a door blowout incident and further safety concerns coming to light.

As part of the requirement from the FAA, the primary concern relates to the oxygen masks failing during an emergency. The failure of these can be attributed to the retention strap.

The mandated inspections follow several reports of the passenger service unit’s oxygen wiggling out of its intended place. As a result, the potential for passengers not to receive the required oxygen during emergencies such as depressurisation means inspections are required.

The 2,600 jets are spread across the newer 737 MAX family and older 737NGs. The FAA says this should involve 2,612 planes on the U.S. registry that are part of the 737 family.

In their airworthiness directive, the FAA stated they were proceeding with this focus because of the unsafe conditions that exist or can develop in products of the same type of design.

As stated by the FAA, the inspections include a general visual inspection of the PSU oxygen generator. Following the inspection, any issues present should become apparent.

Once this is concluded, the FAA states, where applicable, that the affected PSU should be replaced with a new and serviceable generator. Furthermore, there should be the replacement of the retention strap, repositioning of generators and the assurance that the affected generator hasn’t expended oxygen.

In the release, the FAA stated that the total costs to operators exceed $200,000, assuming that one working hour would equate to an expense of $85.

Other estimated costs were disclosed, including the potential replacement of the PSU oxygen generator, the replacement of the retention strap thermal pad, the repositioning of the PSU, and other issues.