Garuda Indonesia Grounds Boeing Jet over Cracks

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned airliner Garuda Indonesia has grounded one of its Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) following the finding of cracks.

Garuda Vice Corporate Secretary M. Ikhsan Rosan stated that his side is waiting for decisions from the jet producer Boeing Co. “We are coordinating with Boeing for the maintenance,” said Ikhsan when met at The Tribrata, South Jakarta, Monday, Oct. 14.

The corporate management had earlier sent a letter to Boeing Co. related to the issue. However, there is no answer yet thus far. Ikhsan underlined that his firm will likely demand compensation for the damage.

Garuda is forced to ground its Boeing 737-800 NG after it discovered cracks in a part called the pickle fork, which connects the aircraft’s body to the wing. The damage was found during the inspection of all older NG planes that have completed 30,000 flights.

“We have three jets that have made 30,000 flights. One of them gets cracks, and so we ground it,” Ikhsan explained.

Previously, Boeing Co. reported that it found 38 structural cracks in 737 NG planes around the world. A few planes in the United States have been pulled from operation temporarily. The jet producer claimed it was preparing instructions for maintenance and replacement of damaged parts.

Based on the inspection result, five percent of the cracks were found in pickle fork, including a plane operated by Garuda Indonesia.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | BISNIS