KQ Boeing Planes: The United States’ Federation Aviation Authority (FAA) has issued a safety alert on 10 Boeing 737 New Generation planes owned by Kenya Airways. The safety alert now means that KQ will have to inspect the aircraft afresh. According to the US, the planes could stall mid-air after being grounded for months.
The FAA said ordered that KQ must replace the engine valves ahead of flying if they are corroded.
The Boeing 737NG aircraft that have been idle could form corrosion on the air check valves. This can easily lead to stalling of the two engines mid air. Currently, Kenya Airways has 10 Boeing 737NG in its fleet of 42.
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“We have received communication and Kenya Airways too has the alert. We shall monitor the task,” Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) director-general Gilbert Kibe told a local daily.
According to the Business Daily, Kenya Airways normally uses these aircraft on Africa routes with higher passenger numbers because of its high capacity compared to the Embraer 190. The Boeing 737-800 has a flying range of 5,665 kilometres.
“This is the second time that Boeing has issued an airworthiness directive on this type of aircraft since late last year. Last September the FAA wrote to Kenya Airways directing it to inspect its fleet of Boeing 737 New Generation aircraft for potential cracks,” a report in the daily said on the KQ Boeing Planes.