Debris Found in Fuel Tanks of Boeing 737 Max Jets in Storage

Latest Problem for Boeing 737 Max

Boeing has found debris in the fuel tanks of several 737 Max jets that have been sitting in storage, according to a note to Boeing employees from Mark Jenks, vice president and general manager of the 737 program and the Renton, Washington, factory.

Foreign Object Debris Unacceptable

Boeing has called foreign object debris, referred to as FOD, “absolutely unacceptable” and vowed to eliminate it from the production system. The company plans to address the problem by updating instructions and required checklists for employees, along with additional verifications including inspections and audits.

Safety Threats on Planes

Debris on a completed aircraft is a serious quality problem that can pose significant safety threats on planes, including short circuits and fires. The note from Boeing did not say how many planes had debris discovered in the fuel tanks.

Debris Problem Not New for Boeing

This is not the first time Boeing has faced debris problems. The US Air Force temporarily halted deliveries of the KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft twice last year after debris was found in closed compartments of the aircraft. There were also problems with debris on the 787 Dreamliners built at a plant in South Carolina, according to a whistleblower complaint first reported in the New York Times last year.

Original article: https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/19/business/boeing-737-max-fuel-tank-debris/index.html