Kenya Airways planes parked at JKIA. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) said the Boeing 737NG aircraft that have been idle since the outbreak of Covid-19 could form corrosion on the air check valves.
This anomaly that can lead to stalling of the two engines when the airplane is flying.
Kenya Airways said it was addressing the issue before taking to the skies.
Kenya Airways will be forced to inspect afresh the engines of its 10 Boeing 737 New Generation aircraft after the US aviation regulator warned that they could stall mid-air after being grounded for months.
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) said the Boeing 737NG aircraft that have been idle since the outbreak of Covid-19 could form corrosion on the air check valves, an anomaly that can lead to stalling of the two engines when the airplane is flying.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) director-general Gilbert Kibe said they had received communication from the FAA, adding that the agency will ensure local carriers such as Kenya Airways are in compliance.
Kenya Airways has 10 Boeing 737NG — mainly used for mid-range flights such as the Africa routes — in its fleet of 42.
“We have received communication and Kenya Airways too has the alert. We shall monitor the task,” said Mr Kibe in an interview with the Business daily.
The FAA said the airlines must replace the engine valves ahead of flying if they are corroded.
In a statement last week, Boeing Company, the manufacturer of the planes, said it had advised operators to inspect the aircraft that had been grounded for long or used infrequently in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
Boeing reckons that the valves can be more susceptible to corrosion.
Kenya Airways said it was addressing the issue before taking to the skies in a move that will assure passengers of their safety once international flights resume this Saturday.
“KQ has a process and has put measures in place to ensure all its affected aircraft have the recommendation accomplished before they get back to the skies,” said the airline in an e-mail response to the Business Daily.
Kenya Airways normally uses these type of 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.
KQ grounded its international […]
