Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a directive requiring inspections of approximately 2,600 Boeing 737 aircraft due to a potential issue with the oxygen masks.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Monday that it is mandating inspections of 2,600 Boeing 737 aircraft due to a potential issue with the retention strap of the passenger oxygen masks. This issue could lead to the failure of the oxygen masks during an emergency situation, posing a safety risk to passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated inspections of Boeing 737 MAX and Next Generation aircraft following numerous reports of passenger service unit oxygen generators becoming dislodged. This issue poses a potential risk, as it could hinder the provision of supplemental oxygen to passengers in the event of cabin depressurization.

On June 17, Boeing issued a bulletin to airlines requesting visual inspections. On Monday, the company informed airlines to update a specific group of the restraining straps on 737 oxygen generators. This action is necessary due to the introduction of a new adhesive on the straps in August 2019. Under certain circumstances, this adhesive has been observed to allow units to shift up to three-quarters of an inch.

"In order to guarantee that the generators remain firmly in place as intended, we have reverted to using the original adhesive for all new shipments. Inspections of the in-service fleet and undelivered aircraft have not revealed any units that have failed to function properly, according to Boeing.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an airworthiness directive that is effective immediately. This directive requires inspections and corrective actions, if necessary, to be completed within 120 to 150 days, depending on the specific Boeing 737 model. Additionally, the FAA is prohibiting airlines from installing potentially defective parts.

Airlines are required to perform a comprehensive visual inspection of their oxygen generators. If necessary, they must replace faulty generators with new or functional ones, secure thermal pads, and reposition affected generators, as per the agency’s directive.

Typically, a Boeing 737 aircraft is equipped with approximately 61 oxygen generators, and each generator is secured with two straps.