Boeing reported that 37 737 NGs have been grounded due to cracks, called “pickle fork cracks,” in the main wing attachment points. The 737 NG entered production in 1996 and production continues, with more than 7,000 of the aircraft delivered to airlines around the world. The 737 MAX was developed from the “NG.”
Several airlines reported the cracks after routine inspections, including Brazil's Gol airlines (11 aircraft affected). This prompted a wider inspection of the fleet. Southwest recently completed a series of inspections finding only two aircraft with pickle fork cracks. Southwest has a fleet of nearly 750 737 NG aircraft.
Southwest reported, “During our inspections of the high-cycle NGs, we did not find abnormalities on the vast majority of our inspected fleet but did identify signs of pickle fork cracking on two aircraft,” it said. “Southwest has removed the two aircraft from our operation and reported the findings to Boeing and the FAA.”
There have been no reported accidents or incidents related to these cracks.