Thai Clarifies FAA Order to Inspect Boeing Jets

On August 30, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Emergency AD 2002-18-52 order to all airlines to add an inspection of Boeing jets in their Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) in order to ensure that the fuel in the central tanks is maintained at minimum level. The inspection must be carried out within four days of the emergency order issuance to ensure that the fuel pumps will not function when the tank is empty.

The order applies to Boeing aircraft models B737-600/-700/-800/-900/, B757 and B747 series with fuel pump installation part number 60-98976-4, made by U.S. Hydro-Aire Inc.

Following the issuance of this emergency order, the Technical Services of Thai Airways International promptly conducted inspection on every aircraft in THAI’s fleet and found none of the aircraft was installed with fuel pump part number 60-98976-4, which has been specified by the FAA.

Currently, THAI has a total of 81 aircraft in its fleet, out of which seven are Boeing 747-400 aircraft with 389 seating capacity and nine with 405 seating capacity. There are two Boeing 747-300 aircraft with 405 seating capacity.

THAI would like to assure all passengers that maximising safety of passengers and aircraft is the airline’s main priority. The airline follows all Boeing regulations closely to maintain passengers’ confidence.