CAAC issues Emergency Airworthiness Directive covering more than 450 B737NG aircraft

CAAC issued an "Emergency Airworthiness Directive" on 15-Mar-2010, reportedly affecting over 450 B737-600/700/700C/800/900/900ER aircraft (operated by domestic airlines including Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines), due to concerns over the tail flap mechanism on the aircraft, and requiring operators to performance immediate safety inspections on the affected aircraft (chinadaily/National Business Daily/People's Daily Online, 18-Mar-2010). CAAC ordered all domestic airlines to report the result of inspections within ten days. CAAC's directive follows a similar directive issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 12-Mar-2010, ordering the same series of B737 aircraft to be checked for loose elevator tabs caused by fractured mounting lugs that help control the tail flaps. Boeing's China branch stated it has informed its Chinese customers about the problem and will provide technical support.