Boeing reveals faulty wing parts on some 737 jets

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Sunday revealed a new problem involving the grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as investigations continue after the planes were involved in two deadly crashes last year.

Boeing has informed the FAA that certain parts on 737 NG and 737 MAX planes may have been improperly manufactured and may not meet all regulatory requirements for strength and durability, according to an FAA statement.

The part is called leading-edge slat track — a kind of mechanism that changes the lift and drag characteristics of the plane's wing during takeoffs and landings

The FAA said that up to 148 parts manufactured by a Boeing sub-tier supplier are affected, after an investigation jointly conducted by its certificate management office and Boeing.

Boeing has identified the serial numbers of 737 NG and 737 MAX planes on which these suspect parts may have been installed.

The affected parts may be susceptible to premature failure or cracks resulting from the supposed improper manufacturing process, the FAA statement said.

A total of 179 Boeing 737 MAX planes and 133 Boeing 737 NG planes worldwide are affected, according to the FAA.

Although a complete failure of leading edge slat tracks would not result in the total loss of the aircraft, a risk remains that a failed part could lead to aircraft damage in flight, said the statement.

The FAA said it would issue an airworthiness directive which will mandate Boeing to identify and remove the affected parts, adding that operators of the affected planes would be required to replace the parts within 10 days.

Boeing has been under intense scrutiny from both the public and federal regulators amid mounting concerns about the safety of its 737 MAX aircraft, after the crash of Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610 last October and another incident involving Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in mid-March this year.

The two crashes killed a total of 346 people.

- CCTV+