Checks on 175 Boeing 737s have been ordered after a Southwest Airlines aircraft in the US developed a hole in its cabin roof in mid-flight.
Eighty of the 175 aircraft to be inspected are registered in the US. Carriers flying older 737s must perform electromagnetic inspections within five days, the US Federal Aviation Administration ordered.
All airlines flying 737-300, 400 and 500 model aircraft that have completed more than 35,000 take-off and landing cycles must perform the checks, the FAA said. Southwest operates the majority of the US-registered Boeing aircraft that are expected to undergo the inspection.
The US low fares airline said repairs were being made to five older Boeing 737-300s after fuselage cracks were found. US transportation secretary Ray LaHodd said: “Safety is our number one priority. Last Friday’s incident was very serious and could result in additional action depending on the outcome of the investigation.”
The Southwest 737 with the ruptured fuselage landed without incident at an Arizona military base on Friday shortly after take off from Phoenix with 118 people on board. The 1.5m-long hole appeared caused a sudden drop in cabin pressure, forcing pilots to make a controlled descent from 34,400ft to the base.
Southwest has withdrawn 79 B737-300s from service to inspect them for “skin fatigue” and cancelled 650 flights.