Operators Ground 38 Boeing 737NGs for Pickle Fork Cracks | Aviation International News

Operators Ground 38 Boeing 737NGs for Pickle Fork Cracks

Airlines around the world have completed inspections on 810 NGs in compliance with an FAA airworthiness directive.

Of the 38 Boeing 737NGs grounded for cracks in wing-to-body attach points, 11 flew for Brazil's Gol. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY) by André Gustavo Stumpf)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

October 10, 2019

Boeing reported on Thursday that Boeing 737NG operators have grounded a total of 38 of the narrowbodies as of October 9 after inspections of the wing-to-fuselage attach points uncovered cracks in assemblies—called pickle forks—that connect the airplane’s wing spars to the fuselage. Brazil's Gol accounts for 11 of the grounded NGs, meaning that, including its still grounded 737 Max jets, it has removed from service 14 percent of its fleet. In a written statement, Gol said the grounding would affect 3 percent of its customers through December 15.

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