Boeing has responded to a report claiming that hundreds of its planes have an electrical flaw near the fuel tank that could cause a fire or explosion. The report, based on an Airworthiness Directives rule posted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), stated that Boeing’s 777 liners are at risk of “electrostatic discharge” near the center-wing fuel tank. “This condition, if not addressed, could result in an ignition source inside the fuel tank and subsequent fire or explosion,” noted the directives on the FAA website.
It further mentioned that the potentially hazardous fault would affect nearly 300 of Boeing’s aircraft across the US, including the 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series jets. Boeing, however, criticized the report for “sensationalizing” a routine regulatory process.
“It makes incorrect connections and sensationalizes the standard regulatory process that has helped ensure air travel is the safest form of transportation,” Boeing said in a statement to The Independent. “This is not an immediate safety of flight issue. There are multiple redundancies designed into modern commercial airplanes to ensure protection from electromagnetic effects. The 777 fleet has been operating for nearly 30 years and has safely flown more than 3.9 billion passengers.”
FAA affirms no immediate safety risk
Major American airlines that operate Boeing 777s include American and United Airlines. The FAA also stated that there was no immediate safety risk to flights.
“The FAA bases its airworthiness directive timelines on the risk involved. If the agency determines something is an urgent issue, it requires immediate action,” a source in the agency told The Independent.
“The proposed Boeing 777 airworthiness directive would give operators a certain amount of time to make the fixes that Boeing described in its November 2023 alert,” the source added.
Boeing has been under scrutiny since a door panel on a 737 Max 9 blew out mid-air in January while the plane was over Oregon. The plane was operated by Alaska Airlines. However, the pilots were able to land safely, and there were no injuries.