Boeing has asked airlines to inspect aircraft worldwide to gather data on Honeywell International emergency beacons that have come under scrutiny following a fire on a parked 787 Dreamliner two weeks ago.
Up to 1,200 aircraft from its smallest to largest models have been fitted with the devices, but Boeing is asking that airlines inspect as many as possible and report back within 10 days to help regulators decide what if any action to take.
“Boeing is asking specific operators of 717, Next-Generation 737, 747-400, 767 and 777s to inspect aircraft with the Honeywell fixed emergency locator transmitters,” a Boeing spokesman said.
“The purpose of these inspections is to gather data to support potential rule-making by regulators,” he added.
The move is the latest response to a fire which caused serious damage on a parked 787 Dreamliner owned by Ethiopian Airlines at London’s Heathrow airport on July 12.
UK accident investigators traced the fire to the area housing one of the units and recommended worldwide inspections of all lithium battery-powered emergency locator transmitters.
