Boeing is warning some operators of its 737 Max jet about a manufacturing issue that the Federal Aviation Administration says could involve the model’s backup power control unit, resulting in four U.S. airlines grounding some of the Max jets in their fleets.
The airplane manufacturer said on Friday that it has recommended 16 customers to see to the “potential electrical issue” before continuing to operate the affected planes.
“The recommendation is being made to allow for verification that a sufficient ground path exists for a component of the electrical power system,” the company said in a brief statement, adding, “We are working closely with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on this production issue. We are also informing our customers of specific tail numbers affected and we will provide direction on appropriate corrective actions.”
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When asked for more specifics about the electrical issue, a Boeing spokesperson referred the Washington Examiner back to its statement but said the company will provide additional information about the number of affected planes as it becomes available.
The spokesperson added that the potential electrical issue is not related to MCAS or the jet’s previous grounding. Flaws with the MCAS, which stands for maneuvering characteristics augmentation system, is what put the Max out of service in 2019, following two deadly crashes that killed 346 people.
The Washington Examiner also reached out to the FAA for details about the situation, to which a spokesperson responded: “Boeing notified the FAA late Thursday that it is recommending that operators of certain Boeing 737 Max airplanes temporarily remove them from service to address a manufacturing issue that could affect the operation of a backup power control unit.”
The FAA spokesperson continued, “The FAA is in contact with the airlines and the manufacturer and will ensure the issue is addressed.”
American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines all have the Max in their fleets, and the Washington Examiner reached out to each to see whether their fleets have any of the affected aircraft.
“Starting immediately and out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily and temporarily removing 16 Boeing 737 Max aircraft from our schedule,” a United spokesperson, which operates 30 of the airplane, told the Washington Examiner. “We have been in touch with the FAA and Boeing and will continue to work closely with them to determine any additional steps that are needed to ensure these aircraft meet our rigorous safety standards and can return to service.”
A spokesperson for Southwest said that 30 of its 58 737 Max 8 aircraft are included in the Boeing notification. The airline resumed flying the 737 Max 8 on March 11 and is only currently operating 15 of its Max planes.
The other two airlines did not immediately respond to the request for comment, but the Washington Post reported that Alaska and American grounded four and 17 Max jets, respectively.
Beyond the issues with the Max, Boeing has been plagued by other product issues in recent months. In February, Boeing recommended that airlines ground their 777-series aircraft engine after debris fell from a United Airlines-operated jet near Denver, Colorado.
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The FAA cleared the Max to fly again in November.
