South Korean authorities have completed structural crack inspections of all of the country’s 150 Boeing 737NGs.
South Korean authorities have completed structural crack inspections of all of the country’s 150 Boeing 737NGs.
No aircraft beyond the 13 first discovered earlier this month and in October were found to have cracks, the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) adds in an update.
The ministry states that two 737-800s found to have “pickle fork” cracks have been repaired and returned to service. One belonged to Jin Air, the other Korean Air. The remaining 11 737s are still on track to return to service by January next year.
The “pickle fork” connects the wing to the aircraft fuselage. Cracking of the hardware could result in structural failure, which affects the structure integrity of the aircraft and results in loss of control.
Regulators worldwide have stepped up inspections of 737NG fleets, with some, like the United States and Indonesia, grounding aircraft found to have cracks.
South Korea’s MOLIT discovered nine 737NGs — all with more than 30,000 flight cycles — to have cracks after a first round of inspection in October.
Four more were discovered with cracks, after a second round of inspections was completed on 10 November. These aircraft recorded between 20,000 to 30,000 flight cycles.
Apart from inspections, MOLIT has also put in place further measures in light of the latest spate of cracking incidents.
For instance, carriers taking delivery of new 737NGs must check for cracks before registering the aircraft in South Korea.
In its latest update, the ministry states that one 737-800, delivered to low-cost carrier T’way Air in mid-November, was subject to such an inspection. It was found to be in the clear and was subsequently introduced to service.
