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 has proposed an airworthiness directive for all Boeing 777 models following the discovery of missing rivet heads on the sloping pressure deck web, affecting five aircraft to date.
- The root cause is identified as inadequate 7050 aluminum solid rivets unable to withstand the complex tension loading, leading to premature fatigue cracking.
- If unaddressed, this condition could lead to decompression, loss of hydraulic systems (brakes and steering), and compromise the aircraft's structural integrity, potentially causing runway departure.
- The directive could affect nearly 225 aircraft, with estimated repair costs up to $33,000 per plane, marking the second 777 directive in less than two months.
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