Cracks Found on 5% of Older Boeing 737 Planes in Inspections
- Examination of wing attachments on NG version of jet continues
- Manufacturer is setting up a repair center for the aircraft
The Boeing Co. logo sits on the side of a 737 Max.
Photographer: Luke MacGregor/Bloomberg
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More than 5% of older Boeing Co. 737 jets that underwent urgent inspections worldwide in the past week have cracks in a structure connecting the wings to the fuselage and will have to be temporarily grounded.
So far, 36 of the workhorse Next Generation models have evidence of cracking out of 686 that have been inspected, Boeing said in an email late Wednesday providing updated numbers. Earlier in the day, the company told airlines that 25 planes had been found with cracks, also at a rate of about 5%, said a person briefed on the discussions.