Boeing service bulletin on 737 slat tracks

Boeing service bulletin on 737 slat tracks:

3 June 2019: Boeing has collaborated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has contacted 737 operators advising them to check the slat track assemblies on certain airplanes. One batch of slat tracks with a particular lot numbers manufactured by a supplier was found to have a potential nonconformance. The operators can replace the parts, if they find them before returning the airplane to service.

Till now, Boeing has found out 21 737NGs most likely to have the parts in question. For a thorough assessment, airlines are directed to check an additional 112 NGs.

Boeing is sending replacement parts at customer bases to help reduce aircraft downtime while the work is completed. The replacement work will take one to two days, once the new parts are in hand. A safety service bulletin outlining the steps to take during the inspections will also be issued by Boeing.

The operators of 737 MAX will receive a separate service bulletin to do inspections before the MAX fleet returns to service. Boeing has found 20 737 MAX airplanes that are most likely to have the parts in question. Operators will be asked to check an additional 159 MAXs to confirm a thorough assessment.

Slat tracks are used to guide the slats situated on the leading edge of an airplane's wings.

"We are committed to supporting our customers in every way possible as they identify and replace these potentially non-conforming tracks," said Kevin McAllister, President & CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.