Cockpit window damage prompts warning on 737s

[Ben Longden]

October 18, 2007 - 12:48PM Melb Age

 

US aviation authorities advised airlines today to inspect cockpit windows on Boeing Co 737s after two were damaged in flight, causing one plane to lose cabin pressure.

 

The proposed airworthiness directive follows similar action in July on all Boeing 747 jetliners after a cockpit window fell out, causing a rapid loss of cabin pressure and an emergency landing.

 

The FAA recommended repeated inspections of nearly 800 737-series models in the US fleet to detect any cracks in vinyl supports or damage to glass panes. There are another 1800 planes flown by airlines overseas that would qualify for inspections.

 

Boeing alerted airlines to the problem in May and recommended action.

 

The FAA said it received reports of partial window separations on two 737s. One experienced a loss of cabin pressure at 3810 metres when edges of a window came loose. The other was flying at 8800 metres when a similar failure occurred. There are several windows in a 737 cockpit.

 

In addition, the FAA is concerned that cracked vinyl supports would make the window more vulnerable to failing if struck by birds.

 

Reuters

 

 

[Dieselten]

Heights quoted in metres...Boeing got this heads-up from some European operator methinks.

 

Anyway, I'll check all the 737's in my fleet this coming weekend.

 

 

[Flyer]

Anyway, I'll check all the 737's in my fleet this coming weekend.