On Tuesday, Boeing said a newly identified wiring issue could slow deliveries of some 737 MAX aircraft in the near term, though the company emphasized that airplanes already in service are unaffected.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the manufacturer said technicians discovered minor scratches on electrical wiring bundles in a group of newly built aircraft. The damage was traced to a machining error during production, prompting Boeing to perform rework on the affected jets before they are handed over to airline customers.
Boeing said the issue does not pose a flight-safety concern and that airlines currently operating the 737 MAX can continue normal operations. The company has notified the FAA and customers while inspections and repairs are completed.
Each airplane can reportedly be corrected within a few days, but the additional work may push some deliveries out of the first quarter. Boeing did not say how many aircraft are affected.
Despite the temporary slowdown, production of the 737 MAX continues at the current rate of about 42 aircraft per month. Boeing said it still expects to meet its overall delivery targets for the year.
Despite the latest manufacturing hiccup, Boeing recently reported a strong February delivery performance, handing over 51 airplanes—including 43 737 MAX jets—the company’s best February result in several years.
Boeing said it still expects to meet its broader 2026 delivery targets as repairs on the affected aircraft move forward.
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