The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an urgent airworthiness directive requiring the inspection of thousands of Boeing 737 airplanes, citing concerns over the potential failure of passenger oxygen masks during emergencies. This directive, effective immediately, impacts more than 2,600 US-registered aircraft.
The FAA's goal is to ensure the proper positioning of passenger service unit oxygen generators on specific Boeing models. Airlines are required to inspect these generators and make any necessary corrections within 120 to 150 days, according to an FAA statement.
This directive adds to the series of challenges Boeing is currently facing. On the same day, Boeing reached an agreement with the US Department of Justice regarding two fatal 737 MAX crashes. Court documents reveal that Boeing will plead guilty to fraud, acknowledging violations of a prior settlement related to the crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people over five years ago.
Additionally, Boeing has been under intense scrutiny following a near-catastrophic incident in January when a fuselage panel detached from an Alaska Airlines-operated 737 MAX.