Boeing 737 Max airplanes could have a loose bolt in the rudder control system, an issue that has launched immediate inspections of the aircraft.
Boeing recommended the inspections after a bolt with a missing nut was discovered by an international operator while conducting routine maintenance. Then, Boeing learned of another undelivered plane with a nut that was not properly tightened. The concerning discovery comes roughly four years after Boeing faced scrutiny about safety shortcuts that allegedly caused two 737 Max aircrafts to crash, killing more than 300 people.
"The issue identified on the particular airplane has been remedied," a Boeing spokesperson told Newsweek. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending operators inspect their 737 MAX airplanes and inform us of any findings. We informed the FAA and our customers and will continue to keep them aware of the progress."
On Thursday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an announcement that said it was "closely monitoring" the inspections.
"Under consultation with the FAA, Boeing has issued a Multi-Operator Message (MOM), urging operators of newer single-aisle airplanes to inspect specific tie rods that control rudder movement for possible loose hardware," the FAA announcement said.
An FAA spokesperson told Newsweek the organization didn't have anything further to share.
Each inspection lasts two hours, and the FAA will remain in contact with Boeing throughout, according to the announcement.
"The agency is asking the airlines to work through their approved Safety Management Systems to identify whether any loose hardware has been detected previously and to provide the agency with details on how quickly these two-hour inspections can be completed," the announcement said.
Further action will be considered if loose or missing hardware is discovered, the FAA said.
The 737 Max aircraft debuted in late 2015. It allegedly uses less fuel, causes less noise and offered an innovative redesign of the aircraft cabin, according to a webpage by Icelandair. The plane was Boeing's top seller in 2018, but in October of that year, one of the planes crashed in Indonesia and killed 189 people. Another 737 Max airplane crashed in Ethiopia the following March and killed 157 people.
Following the second crash, the FAA grounded all 837 Boeing 737 Max aircrafts that were in service. The grounding was the longest of any aircraft in U.S. aviation history and lasted 20 months.
The investigation found that the Boeing 737 Max's automated anti-stall device, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), erroneously pointed the nose of the planes down to avoid a midair stall and sent it into the fatal plunges. At the time, pilots were unable to override the miscalculation to reverse the plane's course.
The 737 Max was then recertified in 2020 by the FAA for commercial service after thorough tests to the plane's updated flight control system were completed.
Update 12/28/23, 10:55 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include additional information and a comment from Boeing.
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