Boeing supports safety checks on 737s

SAN FRANCISCO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Boeing said Wednesday it supports the FAA's rule which requires 737 operators to inspect the elevator tab control mechanism in response to China's safety checks on more than 400 aircraft made by the U.S. giant.

Boeing said Wednesday it supports the FAA's rule which  requires 737 operators to inspect the elevator tab control  mechanism in response to China's safety checks on more  than 400 aircraft made by the U.S. giant.

As the elevator tab on a 737 airplane was found loose while running earlier this month, Boeing sent an alert bulletin to all operators on March 10, recommending a safety check on the mechanism, a spokesman of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes told Xinhua in a written statement Wednesday.

"Airworthiness Directive essentially mandates recommendations in a Boeing all-operator message. Boeing is committed to the safe operation of its airplanes, and is working with FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and its airline customers to assure compliance with this rule," the statement said.

China has ordered its airlines to make safety checks on more than 400 aircraft made by Boeing due to concerns over possible safety hazards.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued an "Emergency Airworthiness Directive" on Monday for Boeing 737s, ordering all domestic airlines to report the results of their inspections within 10 days.

The Chinese order comes after the FAA issued a directive earlier this month urging immediate inspections of the "elevator tab control mechanism" on the tail flap of six models of Boeing 737s.

"The consequent structural failure... could result in loss of aircraft control and structural integrity," said the directive posted on the U.S. aviation regulator's website.