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Boeing requests inspections of emergency transmitters

Airlines have been requested by Boeing to carry out inspections of a transmitter used to locate aircraft after a crash.

The manufacturer said it had asked operators of 717, Next-Generation 737, 747-400, 767 and 777s to inspect aircraft.

Boeing sent out instructions to carriers using 787s earlier this month giving them information on how to either inspect or remove the Honeywell Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) on their aircraft.

This follows the UK Air Accidents Investigations Branch recommending the inspection after a fire broke out on a 787 Dreamliner parked at Heathrow airport earlier this month.

It was traced to the upper rear part of the aircraft where the ELT is fitted.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes marketing vice president Randy Tinseth said: “We’re taking this action following the UK AAIB Special Bulletin, which recommended that airplane models with fixed Honeywell ELTs be inspected.

“The purpose of these inspections is to gather data to support potential rule making by regulators.”

He added: “It is important to note that Honeywell ELTs have been deployed on approximately 20 aircraft models— including Boeing, Airbus and numerous business aviation aircraft.

“We’ll be working closely with our customers in the coming days. As always, the safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority.”

Heathrow was closed for 90 minutes as a result of the fire on the parked Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner.

All Nippon Airways said last week it found damage to the battery wiring on two 787 locator transmitters during checks.

United Airlines said that it found a pinched wire during an inspection of one of its six 787s.

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