Aviation

Electrical Issues Affecting More Boeing 737 MAX | Jetline Marvel

Boeing will 'very shortly' increase 737 MAX manufacturing to 38 per month.

On most of Boeing’s next-generation narrowbody aircraft, a new problem has arisen. Boeing recommended that 16 customers temporarily park some Boeing 737 MAX aircraft earlier this month pending inspections and rectifications involving an electrical power system part. Although the problem was unexpected, it only affected a small number of MAX jets. However, according to some industry reports, it can affect more jets than previously thought and may spread to other parts of the plane.

According to industry sources, more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft would need to undergo checks than originally expected in order to look for any deficient products that need to be fixed. According to the most recent update, other areas of the 737 MAX aircraft are experiencing electrical system grounding problems. The issue, while not complicated and certainly not to the extent that caused the plane to be grounded for so long, would necessitate some time on the ground. The biggest concern is ensuring that segments of the electrical power grid have ground paths.

Boeing suggested to 16 customers last week that they ground those Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from operations. Customers were instructed to inspect and make any required adjustments to ensure that a part of the electrical power system had a proper ground path. Following Boeing’s announcement, many airlines grounded MAX aircraft from their fleets while waiting for more details. Boeing is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States to resolve the issue, which Boeing described as a production issue.

According to Boeing’s phrasing, it’s not a given that the aircraft listed aren’t properly grounded where they should be. As a result, some aircraft would just need to spend some time on the ground for inspection before returning to service. The risk of an electrical failure is not insignificant. This is why Boeing has issued an alert to MAX customers who might be affected. As Boeing and the FAA assess the situation, more information will become available. At this time, the exact number of planes affected by the problems is unclear.

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Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.