Airlines ground as many as 50 Boeing aircraft after detecting cracks in the airframe – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Airlines ground as many as 50 Boeing aircraft after detecting cracks in the airframe




Aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s woes deepen today, as several airlines have been forced to ground as many as 50 aircraft after cracks were detected in the airframe.

The issue centers around cracks in the pickle fork, which is part of the linkage between wing and fuselage.

The model affected is the 737NG. Qantas and Korean Air have already ordered the grounding of several planes while inspections are carried out.

Boeing earlier said that the aircraft affected had flown extensively, some with more than 30,000 flights logged. But it later emerged that the cracks had appeared in some aircraft that had logged fewer than 27,000 flights, prompting fears that the problem may have been underestimated.

Boeing is already facing worldwide scrutiny after two deadly crashes of its 737 MAX model, which killed over 300 people. The entire 737 MAX fleet remains grounded.

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