The FAA on April 9 proposed an airworthiness directive for inspections of all models of Boeing’s 777 jetliner. The directive is based on the agency’s discovery of five 777s of various models with missing rivet heads used to join the aircraft’s skin. This directive is the second to affect the 777 in less than two months. The previous one was issued following the explosion of a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 4000 engine in February.
Boeing’s 777 Back in the News Over Maintenance Issue
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA proposed an airworthiness directive for all Boeing 777 models following the discovery of missing rivet heads on multiple aircraft.
- The root cause was identified as inadequate 7050 aluminum solid rivets on the sloping pressure deck web, which were insufficient for the complex tension loading and led to premature fatigue cracking.
- Failure to address this condition could result in severe consequences, including decompression, loss of hydraulic systems (brakes and steering), and compromise the aircraft's structural integrity.
- This directive could affect approximately 225 aircraft, with an estimated repair cost of $33,000 per aircraft.
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