(WASHINGTON) The US Civil Aviation Agency (FAA) will review United Airlines' safety practices, particularly those affected by incidents on Boeing planes, the airline's vice president said in a letter to employees.
“In the coming weeks, we will begin to see the FAA become more involved in our operations as they begin to review some of our work processes, manuals and facilities,” Sasha Johnson indicated in the letter, which AFP was able to consult. , United Airlines vice president of security.
“We have a strong safety culture at United. However, the number of safety-related incidents in recent weeks has been a reason to pause and assess whether something can and should be done differently,” he insists.
“We've recently increased our engagement with the FAA, and they've echoed these sentiments. They agree that we need to take a closer look at many areas of our operations to ensure we're doing everything possible to encourage and promote compliance with safety regulations,” explains the president.
As part of this, “the FAA will suspend various certification activities for a period of time,” he added.
United Airlines has the largest fleet of 737 MAX 9s, consisting of 79 aircraft.
“Last year, there were several near misses between planes on the runways, and the sector is absorbing a huge influx of new employees hired after the pandemic,” points out the Wall Street Journal, which disclosed the information.
“United, which last year became the largest US airline by traffic, has been in the spotlight following a series of problems with its flights,” notes the business daily.
On January 5, a door stopper in the cabin of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 flying from Portland (Oregon) to Ontario (California) came loose on the plane. United Airlines reported poorly screwed bolts on the hatch doors of its 737 MAX 9s.
The company also said that during the test, “bolts that needed to be tightened” were found.
In late February, United Airlines pilots reported that the rudder pedals of their 737 MAX got stuck after landing in Newark, New Jersey.
Other incidents have been reported of the plane missing a panel or losing a wheel during take-off.
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