FAA warns engines could fail on Boeing 737s sitting in storage during pandemic

(Image credit: JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images)

published 24 July 2020

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued another blow to Boeing's reputation.

On Friday, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive to airlines that fly any Boeing 737 planes, warning that the engines of jets that have been in storage longer than a week could suddenly fail. The agency is demanding those airlines immediately inspect any planes that have recently been in storage to prevent any "forced off-airport landings," its directive said.

"Four recent reports of single-engine shutdowns" due to check valves corroding and "being stuck open" prompted the FAA to issue its directive. "Corrosion of these valves on both engines could result in a dual-engine power loss without the ability to restart," leading to a "forced off-airport landing." Any airplanes that have been in storage for a week or more — which is a good amount because of the COVID-19 pandemic — and haven't been flown more than 10 times since their storage will have to immediately be inspected.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.

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