US authority orders inspections of oxygen masks on Boeing aircraft
The authority is concerned, according to its statements, that oxygen masks may not function in an emergency. Boeing has been under intense scrutiny in the US for months due to safety concerns regarding its aircraft.
According to the FAA, inspections for possible oxygen system issues were mandated for 2612 registered Boeing planes in the US of the 737-8, -9, -800, -700, -800, and -900ER models. Affected models include both older and newer generations.
Since the beginning of the year, several technical issues with Boeing planes have caused concern. In January, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines experienced an in-flight cabin wall separation, resulting in an emergency landing. The FAA then limited the production of the 737 MAX to 38 per month, bringing it back to the 2023 production level.
Besides the technical issues, pressure on Boeing in the past few months has also increased due to reports from several sources about issues in the production and quality control processes.
The USA's FAA, as a US authority, initiated obligatory inspections for oxygen supply systems in Boeing aircraft due to concerns about the functionality of oxygen masks in emergencies. These inspections extended to over 2600 Boeing 737 models registered in the USA.
The FAA identified several Boeing aircraft models, including the 737-8, -9, -800, -700, -800, and -900ER, as requiring these emergency oxygen supply system inspections. The affected models span both older and newer generations of Boeing aircraft.
In response to these FAA-mandated inspections, Boeing is undergoing rigorous checks to ensure the safety of its oxygen supply systems in compliance with the US authority's requirements. The company has been facing intense scrutiny due to the series of safety concerns raised about its aircraft.
The FAA's mandate for these oxygen supply system inspections on Boeing planes comes amidst a wave of emergency situations involving Boeing aircraft. One such instance was a January 2023 incident, where a Boeing 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines experienced an in-flight cabin wall separation, necessitating an emergency landing.
Given the ongoing safety concerns and the need for improvements in Boeing aircraft, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to implement strict inspections and regulations to safeguard the integrity of Boeing's oxygen supply systems and overall aircraft safety.
