Airlines accept $27M proposal for overhead repairs for 737

Despite the nearly $27 million price tag, airlines aren’t fighting a federal proposal to improve the safety of overhead equipment panels in Boeing 737 aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration proposed the regulation Oct. 13 because of reports that passengers were hit in the face and head by the panels of equipment that typically hold reading lights and oxygen masks below the carry-on bins. Another concern was that the fallen panels could hinder evacuation during an emergency.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigated several survivable accidents from 2008 through 2011 in which the panels separated from the planes, “likely increasing the number of reported occupant injuries, particularly to the head and face,” according to Chairman Christopher Hart.

To remedy the problem, the FAA is proposing that airlines install new support cords for the panels within five years. The only suggestion that American Airlines and Japan Airlines (JAL) offered by the Nov. 28 deadline was comment was to extend the repair deadline to seven years, so that repairs could coincide with major maintenance overhauls and avoid taking planes out of service twice.

United Airlines called the proposal “clear, easily understood and with an acceptable compliance time line.”

Southwest Airlines, whose entire fleet is 737 aircraft, told Paste BN that it began repairs after a Boeing service bulletin in September 2015.

“As always, we’re working closely with the FAA to maintain the safety and compliance of our fleet,” said spokesman Casey Dunn.

The FAA proposal covers -600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER models of the popular aircraft. The reason the combined repair price is so high is because of the large number of those 737 variants -- more than 1,085 -- flying in the fleets of U.S. airlines.

The cost of the repairs is estimated at $21,880 for each passenger-service unit and $2,769 for each life-vest panel.