FAA, EASA Argue Over MAX Wiring Issue

3

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the FAA and EASA are at odds over a potential wiring issue that was flagged during ongoing review of certification procedures on the Boeing 737 MAX. Boeing recently alerted the FAA that a wiring bundle for tail section controls on the MAX and maybe the previous generation NGs might not have enough clearance from each other and may be at risk for short circuits. The fix would be relatively simple and inexpensive, taking about an hour or two to install a clamp. But the WSJ report, quoting unnamed sources, says the issue affects wiring at various locations from nose to tail and rerouting the wires could take about two weeks. EASA wants the wiring fixed before a return to service but Boeing and the FAA say the issue isn’t that urgent. The FAA Administrator is expected to rule on the wiring issue in coming weeks.

The WSJ says a compromise may be proposed where the 400 aircraft now in storage would be modified and those that have already been in service would get the rewiring when the aircraft are already down for scheduled maintenance or software upgrades. Although the issue hasn’t been resolved, it has already affected the recertification schedule since it has prompted the FAA to delay setting a date for a recertification flight. It’s not clear what impact, if any, the decision for MAX aircraft might have on NG models.

Russ Niles
Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.

Other AVwebflash Articles

3 COMMENTS

  1. “EASA wants the wiring fixed before a return to service, but Boeing and the FAA say the issue isn’t that urgent.”
    Questions for EASA:
    Is this wiring issue urgent enough to order the immediate grounding of all of the non-MAX 737s that exhibit it?
    If yes, then why have you not done that? If no, then why is the FAA’s position unreasonable?

  2. THE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC’S CREED

    “UPON MY HONOR, I swear that I shall hold in sacred trust the rights and privileges conferred upon me as a certified mechanic. Knowing full well that the safety and lives of others are dependent upon my skill and judgment, I shall never knowingly subject others to risks which I would not be willing to assume for myself, or for those dear to me.
    IN DISCHARGING this trust, I pledge myself never to undertake work or approve work which I feel to be beyond the limits of my knowledge nor shall I allow any non-certified superior to persuade me to approve aircraft or equipment as airworthy against my better judgment, nor shall I permit my judgment to be influenced by money or other personal gain, nor shall I pass as airworthy aircraft or equipment about which I am in doubt either as a result of direct inspection or uncertainty regarding the ability of others who have worked on it to accomplish their work satisfactorily.
    I REALIZE the grave responsibility which is mine as a certified airman, to exercise my judgment on the airworthiness of aircraft and equipment. I, therefore, pledge unyielding adherence to
    these precepts for the advancement of aviation and for the dignity vocation.”

    Jerry Lederer
    Founder, Flight Safety Foundation

LEAVE A REPLY