The US Federal Aviation Administration is expected to issue an airworthiness directive (AD) calling for inspections of engine fire-extinguishing systems on Boeing 747-400s. It comes after Lufthansa temporarily grounded its fleet following the discovery of a cracked copper hose on an engine.
The AD, which was expected to be issued as Flight International closed for press, follows a service bulletin that Boeing was due to send to all 747-400 operators around 24 February. Boeing says it does not consider the problem to be "a flight safety issue", but says that airlines are being asked to make the inspections "at their earliest convenience".
The AD, however, is expected to outline a more rigorous compliance deadline of around three days.
Following the discovery at Lufthansa, Boeing says it immediately sent out an "all operators message" informing them of the find, and requesting operators of General Electric-powered -400s to report any findings. The FAA AD is also likely to require inspections of Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce-powered aircraft.
Source: Flight International
