Boeing making progress on 737 MAX engine issue delaying certification of some models
Boeing said on Wednesday it was making progress on developing a permanent solution to address an issue with the 737 MAX engine anti-ice system that has delayed certification of the smallest model, the MAX 7 and the largest, the MAX 10.
The issue with the anti-ice system could lead to it overheating and potentially causing an engine failure.
A source told Reuters that Boeing plans to conduct flight testing on the anti-ice fix later this year and said certification of the MAX 7 could slip to mid-2025.
Boeing Chief Financial Officer Brian West said in January the anti-ice fix could be addressed “within a year.” Boeing has 35 MAX 7 and MAX 10 planes in inventory.
→ Copa Airlines delays start of 737 MAX 8 operations
Boeing in January withdrew a request it filed with the Federal Aviation Administration last year seeking an exemption from a safety standard for the MAX 7 over the issue, which pushed potential certification into 2025.
The Air Current, an aviation trade publication, reported earlier on Wednesday that the fix Boeing has settled on will result in delaying certification of the MAX 7 and 10 deep into 2025 at the earliest.
The FAA, which has repeatedly declined to put any timetable on approval, said on Wednesday it “will thoroughly review any design Boeing submits.”
Boeing said there have been no safety incidents observed in service stemming from overheating in the engine inlet.
Boeing has said it must first win approval from the FAA for the MAX 7 before it can get the larger, better-selling MAX 10 certified.
Related Topics
Etihad Airways Takes Delivery of Its First Airbus A321LR
Avolon Strengthens Commitment to Airbus with Order for 90 New Aircraft
Condor Orders Four Additional Airbus A330neo Aircraft
Delta Cannibalizes New Airbus Aircraft in Europe to Keep U.S. Fleet Operational
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.