The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that a flaw in Boeing airplanes could result in a fuel tank explosion.
“The FAA has received a report indicating a production audit by the design approval holder found that the design of the NEADS cover plate assembly did not comply with the requirements for nitrogen generation system certification,” a March declaration reads.
It was revealed that the cover plate assembly was not installed appropriately.
“The accumulation of electrostatic charge in the cover plate assembly and the float valve assembly, which is attached to the cover plate assembly, could lead to electrostatic discharge to the surrounding structure,” the FAA explained. “This condition, if not addressed, could result in an ignition source inside the fuel tank and subsequent fire or explosion.”
This issue applies to nearly 300 Boeing aircraft: 777–200, –200LR, –300, –300ER, and 777F series airplanes.
According to conservative figure Chuck Callestro, American and United Airlines use the planes.
A Boeing spokesperson told the New York Post that the flaw discovered by the FAA is “not an immediate safety of flight issue.”
“There are multiple redundancies designed into modern commercial airplanes to ensure protection for electromagnetic effects. The 777 fleet has been operating for nearly 30 years and has safely flown more than 3.9 billion passengers,” they said.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker told ABC News that the agency is working with Boeing to “bring the quality back where it needs to be at their factories.”
“It’s to bring the safety system where it needs to be and bring the culture where it needs to be so that employees can speak up when they see something is concerning,” Whitaker explained. “What we’re seeing next week is the plan going forward. It’s not the end of the process. It’s the beginning, and it’s going to be a long road to get going back where they need to be making safe airplanes.”
