Electrical Ground Issue Grounds Dozens Of MAXes

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Boeing has instructed 16 airlines to ground dozens of 737 MAX aircraft globally due to a potential manufacturing fault in the electrical system's ground connection.
  • Major carriers like Southwest, American, and United have pulled planes from service, though no operational issues related to the isolated fault have been reported.
  • Airlines must inspect the planes, a process taking a few hours, but repairs could ground an aircraft for several days.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Boeing has told 16 airlines to ground some Boeing 737 MAXes until they confirm a proper ground connection on part of the electrical system after discovering a potential manufacturing fault. Dozens of aircraft all over the world are affected. Southwest pulled 30 from service, American 17 and United 16. None of the airlines has reported any issues because of the potential fault, which is isolated to one part of the electrical system. It is not related to the flight control system.

The airlines have been told to inspect the planes and check the ground and fix it if necessary. The inspection only takes a few hours but if it needs to be fixed the plane could be out of service for a few days. There have been several maintenance bulletins on the type since its return to service after a two-year grounding earlier this year but the first that took the planes out of service. 

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE