By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: FAA Issues Emergency Directive for 737s Prone to Dual-Engine Power Loss
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > FAA Issues Emergency Directive for 737s Prone to Dual-Engine Power Loss

FAA Issues Emergency Directive for 737s Prone to Dual-Engine Power Loss

Travel Radar
Last updated: 25 July 2020 11:49
By Travel Radar Staff
4 Min Read
Share
Boeing 737-NG
Boeing 737 © Boeing
SHARE

US regulatory authority, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) for stored Boeing 737 aircraft on Friday. The directive was issued following four recent reports of in-flight single-engine shutdowns caused by corroded check valves.

One of those incidents involves an Alaska Airlines plane that suffered an engine shutdown recently.

FAA logoThe FAA has, therefore, mandated operators of the 737 to replace the check valves if corrosion is discovered. Failure to do so can have severe consequences such as “compressor stalls and dual-engine power loss without the ability to restart.”

Aircraft will be considered “stored” if they have not flown for 7 or more consecutive days; hence subject to the inspection.

The FAA’s instructions will apply to around 2 000 US-registered 737 aircraft that are currently parked. Most of them were grounded following a radical drop in travel demand due to the coronavirus. Now that airlines are gradually resuming more flights, more aircraft are being brought out from storage.

The 737’s US operators such as American, Southwest, United and Delta Air Lines have all said that they are complying with the FAA’s latest directive.

So What’s Exactly The Problem?

Boeing 737 NG
© Boeing

The problem is with the external bleed air 5th stage check valve that gets stuck in the open position. The valves’ internal parts become corroded — due to storage — causing in-flight engine shutdowns.

If this valve opens normally at takeoff power, it may become stuck in the open position during flight
and fail to close when power is reduced at top of descent, resulting in an unrecoverable compressor
stall and the inability to restart the engine.

This condition, if not addressed, could result in compressor stalls and dual-engine power loss without the ability to restart, which could result in a forced off-airport landing.

The high-pressure bleed air from the engine is used for many aircraft functions — air conditioning, cabin pressurizing and anti-icing.

737’s Engine Manufacturer Responds

CFM56-5 Engine
© David Monniaux

According to the plane’s engine manufacturer, CFM International, the FAA directive is regarding a:

Boeing external bleed air valve that interfaces with the engine. We are working closely with Boeing in their resolution of this issue.

The CFM56 engine is a high-bypass turbofan engine capable of producing a thrust of up to 34 000lbf. It is also used in the Airbus A320 family and A340-200 and 300 series.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is yet to issue any mandatory inspections for stored 737s.

Boeing’s 737 aircraft has lived four generations. Its latest one is the 737 MAX that is already grounded following two lethal crashes. The remaining 737 classic series and 737NG (Next Generation) — that are stored — will undergo mandatory inspection.

The 737 MAX and series older than the 737-300 will be exempt from the inspection.

Let us know what you think of this development in the comments below!

You Might Also Like

Delta Airlines: A Significant Growth in Austin
Emirates Celebrates Arabic Language in Global Operations
Qatar Airways Lands First Flight at The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
More trouble for travelers as another Asian airspace closure affects flights
Etihad Airways’ Airbus A350s to Serve India This Summer
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Travel Radar
ByTravel Radar Staff
Follow:
Articles from guest contributors wishing to remain anonymous are credited to this account. Want to contribute to Travel Radar either in-name, or anonymously? Get in touch: [email protected]
Previous Article Mahan Air A310 US Warplane Intercepts Iranian Passenger Aircraft, Minor Injuries Reported
Next Article Aer Lingus Opens New Base at Belfast City Airport
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Wizz Air © Sevcan Alkan
Wizz Air Revives $580 Pass and Tests Business Class
Aircraft Airlines Aviation Travel
Qatar Airways aircraft with a palm tree in the foreground
Why Don’t Planes Bring Back Gaming with New In-Flight WiFi?
Aviation Travel Travel Radar
American Airlines unveils new Airbus A321XLR © American Airlines
American Airlines Unveils Luxurious Airbus A321XLR
Aircraft Airline Economics Airlines Aviation Travel
IATA streamlined ground operations and digital tools © Thomas Nugent
IATA Unveils 2026 Cargo and Ground Operations Update
Aircraft Airline Economics Aviation Did You Know Technology Travel Travel Radar
San Diego, California skyline
Alaska Airlines adds 13 new routes totalling to their most ever
Airports Aviation Travel
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up