Anewly discovered and expanding problem stemming from a two-year-old production line change has 90 Boeing 737 MAX-family variants on the ground and is giving the company yet another opportunity to test what it touts as a revamped approach to managing significant safety issues. Boeing informed operators and the FAA April 8 of an issue that can leave the 737 MAX backup electrical power system ungrounded. It recommended that 16 operators remove about 90 affected aircraft-some 20% of the delivered 737 MAX fleet and 40% of the aircraft that were active-from service and await further instructions. Boeing was still evaluating the issue's scope as of April 15. A source with knowledge of the matter confirmed that inspections are turning up grounding issues in other areas beyond the ones flagged by Boeing. The manufacturer's original notice targeted issues with standby power control units (SPCU). Service information is being developed in consultation with the FAA and could take several more days.
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