August 26, 2009
Southwest Airlines may keep flying some of its planes for now, even though they have unauthorised parts, regulators said on Wednesday.
Southwest grounded 46 older Boeing 737s on Saturday “out of an abundance of caution” after Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors discovered that a component crucial for keeping engine exhaust off wing flaps had not been approved by the agency, the FAA and the company said.
The FAA said the part was installed by a contractor that handles some of the airline’s maintenance. Regulators and airline officials did not identify the US-based firm.
The problem was discovered during a routine FAA check of Southwest maintenance records, the FAA said.
FAA and Boeing officials determined that the parts installed on some 46 aircraft, about 9 percent of Southwest’s 737 fleet, do not pose an immediate safety hazard and can remain in place for 10 days.
“All agreed that the parts met FAA standards and there was not a safety issue. The current discussion is focused on whether a longer-term solution is needed,” said Chris Mainz, a Southwest spokesman.
The investigation continues, but the FAA said it does not believe the problem extends to other airlines. Southwest could be fined, the FAA said.
Southwest agreed in March to pay a USD$7.5 million fine to settle government allegations that it flew planes without performing required safety inspections.
(Reuters)
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