The Nation - News from Feb. 12, 1987

The Boeing Co. said it will offer a major parts replacement program to eliminate hairline cracks in the frames of its 747 jets. The 76 airlines that operate about 650 of the jumbo jets have been offered a modification program under which the airplane manufacturer will replace some or all of the 26 circular structural frames in the forward part of the 747s, Boeing spokeswoman Elizabeth Reese said. It would not be necessary to take 747s out of service specifically to replace cracked internal frames, but the modification could be made when other maintenance is performed, Reese said.