Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) have expanded the scope of their inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead structure on the 737 Max 8 aircraft, according to a report in Air Current.
These inspections now include X-ray examinations, which are being conducted to ensure the safety and quality of the aircraft. This expanded inspection process could potentially slow down the recovery progress and the overall production pace, which is a concern as Boeing aims to increase production.
BA shares fell 2% while Spirit stock lost 1.5% in early Friday trade.
Boeing has already notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of its initial findings, and customers who are experiencing delivery delays of the Max 8 aircraft have been informed.
“We think a conservative assumption is to assume resetting the clock back on MAX progress ~30 days and assume a potential to slip 30 deliveries out of 2023,” Wolfe Research analysts said.
Similarly, Deutsche Bank analysts say “increased uncertainty” is likely to weigh on BA and SPR shares today.
“In light of this news, one might reasonably expect incremental pressure on 4Q 737 deliveries, which may further lower the probability that BA is able to achieve the low-end of its full year 737 delivery guide of 400 aircraft. We note that BA has only delivered 4 737 MAX aircraft month to date through October 10th, according to Cirium,” the analysts wrote.