The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a new round of inspections for some Boeing 737s after previous inspections failed to detect potentially dangerous vibration in the tail.
The FAA directive requires new inspections to detect and correct a loose bearing in the elevator tab control mechanism, which has been blamed for causing the elevator and tab vibration, according to Reuters.
Structural failure of the elevator or horizontal stabiliser could result in loss of structural integrity and aircraft control, according to the FAA.
Operators have experienced an in-flight vibration associated with the elevator tab control mechanism on a 737 that had gone through the previously mandated FAA inspection.
The FAA's new directive includes its earlier order, mandating inspections that were part of Boeing's service bulletin, and requires sending the inspection results to Boeing and errant elevator control tab mechanisms to the manufacturer.
Airlines will inspect 200 next-generation 737 within 12 days, six days for those that fly extended twin-engine operations routes.
The inspection reports and the returned parts will help the FAA develop a final action to correct the unsafe condition.
