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American Airlines Grounds Planes For Inspection

Wiring bundles on MD-80s will be re-inspected

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

March 26, 2008

The flights affected are those involving the MD-80 aircraft. Inspectors have grounded the planes until they can check out the wiring bundles, to ensure they meet safety regulations.

American issued a statement saying it was "re-inspecting" the wiring bundles. It did not say why or when the bundles were last inspected.

The MD-80 is made by Boeing and entered service in 1980. It usually holds around 170 passengers and is used mainly for short- and medium-range flights.

The American Airlines action comes as the Federal Aviation Administration steps up its inspection enforcement activities. Earlier this month the FAA began an audit of all domestic airline maintenance records. That follows revelations that Southwest Airlines flew a number of its Boeing 737 aircraft without making required inspections for cracks in the fuselage.

Though it may cancel as many as 200 flights, American said it does not expect the service disruption to be extended, saying the inspections can be performed relatively quickly and planes will then be returned to service.

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