Boeing has grounded its entire fleet of new 737 MAX airliners after discovering a potential engine manufacturing problem. The move comes just a week before the first MAX delivery, to Malaysia’s Malindo Air, was set to take place.
Although no problems have been found during the type’s extensive 16-month flight test programme, Boeing believes that metal discs inside some of its new LEAP engines could potentially crack. Boeing’s communications spokesman, Doug Alder, said: “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to temporarily suspend MAX flights.” Boeing said some LEAP engines it has already received are unaffected by the issue, but the aircraft with the potentially affected powerplants will be sent for inspection to engine maker CFM International’s facilities either in Lafayette, Indiana, or Villaroche, France. Boeing explained that as it has already received some unaffected engines, this month’s planned 737 MAX deliveries will go ahead as scheduled.
