737 Max inspections delayed as Boeing revises guidelines

The Federal Aviation Administration said Boeing's instructions on how airlines should check planes were insufficient and that the company would revise them. /p>

Federal regulators said Tuesday that Boeing is revising its instructions on how airlines should inspect its 737 Max 9, delaying the manufacturer's efforts to return the plane in the air after a panel in one of the planes exploded. during a flight late last week.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the company would modify the guidance it issued Monday based on feedback , but the agency did not provide further details. . Instructions on how to comply with F.A.A. requirements. The rules are often written and distributed by aircraft manufacturers, with input from airlines and the federal agency to ensure they can be consistently followed by technicians.

"Upon receipt of Boeing's revised guidance, the F.A.A. will conduct a thorough review,” the F.A.A. said. said in a statement. "The safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timetable for returning the Boeing 737-9 Max to service."

The announcement that Boeing was reviewing the instructions comes after two airlines reported finding loose parts in the area of ​​the panel being inspected.

On Saturday, the F.A.A. had said it would require inspections of the planes after one such panel exploded on an Alaska Airlines flight that took off from Portland, Oregon, the day before. Although no serious injuries were reported, the incident exposed passengers to high winds and raised new concerns about Boeing's quality control practices. The incident also forced airlines operating the Max 9 to cancel numerous flights.

Why a sign tore off an Alaska Airlines plane in flight< p class="css- vop5d5">A diagram of the door stopper shows the locations of critical bolts that federal investigators believe may have been missing or improperly installed.