Half of 737s Checked Flawed, FAA Says

Problems were detected in about half of the wiring systems on older Boeing 737s that were inspected, the FAA said. Of 192 fuel pump tubes inspected on 96 planes, about half showed signs of wire abrasion. The severity of abrasion varied, but the FAA reported chafing in 50 of the inspected tubes--six of them down to bare wire. Each plane has two fuel pump tubes. The wiring problems could cause explosions. The inspections had minimal impact on travelers. “This is a pattern that we expected . . . “ FAA Administrator Jane Garvey said.