Aircraft
Hole in Southwest Jet To Prompt Boeing Service Bulletin
Boeing plans to issue a Service Bulletin to describe inspection techniques for Boeing 737s similar to the Southwest Airlines 737-300 whose fuselage skin ru

Boeing plans to issue a Service Bulletin to describe inspection techniques for Boeing 737s similar to the Southwest Airlines 737-300 whose fuselage skin ruptured while on a scheduled flight from Phoenix to Sacramento on April 1. Flight 812 diverted to Yuma, Ariz., for an emergency landing at 5:07 p.m. after a hole developed in the top of fuselage.

Mechanics from Southwest Airlines, under the supervision of NTSB investigators, yesterday removed a section of the ruptured fuselage skin and prepared to send it to NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C., for in-depth analysis.