Boeing Grounds Some 737 Max Jets, Again

A Boeing 737 cockpit

Boeing notified 16 airlines that operate the beleaguered 737 Max of a potential electrical problem with the aircraft, telling them they should stop flying some planes.

“Boeing has recommended to 16 customers that they address a potential electrical issue in a specific group of 737 Max airplanes prior to further operations,” the company said in a statement Friday.

The issue arose just months after airlines across the globe resumed flying the jet, which had been grounded for almost two years following two hull loses that resulted in the deaths of nearly 350 people.

The four U.S. operators of the 737 Max – Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines – said they would stop operating nearly 70 of their jets as a result.

Boeing said that airlines will need to verify one of the components in the jet’s electrical system to ensure it is properly grounded.  The aircraft manufacturer is working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, it said.

“We are working closely with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on this production issue,” Boeing said in a statement. “We are also informing our customers of specific tail numbers affected and we will provide direction on appropriate corrective actions.”

Unlike with the prior groundings of the Max, this action was taken before there was an incident of any kind.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)