HC Deb 26 November 1996 vol 286 cc154-5W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action the Civil Aviation Authority has taken following Boeing's instructions regarding defective rudders on Boeing 737s. [5111]

Mr. Bowis

In accordance with the Chicago convention on international civil aviation, the policy of the Civil Aviation Authority is to endorse airworthiness directives promulgated by the airworthiness authorities of the state of design of an aircraft type.

The CAA has therefore required all UK registered Boeing 737 aircraft to be inspected in line with the requirements set out in US Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive T96–23–51. The initial inspections have been completed within the required time scale and repeat inspections are being undertaken as directed.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents similar to those described in the national transport safety document of 16 October have been reported in respect of United Kingdom-registered Boeing 737s. [5562]

Mr. Bowis

None.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, column 137, if he will make a statement on the accidents occurring in 1993. [5652]

Mr. Bowis

All of the accidents in 1993 listed in my reply of 30 October,Official Report, column 137, occurred while the aircraft involved were stationary at airports and had no bearing on the airworthiness of either the individual aircraft or their type.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department was first made aware of the problems within the Boeing 737 rudder system. [5563]

Mr. Bowis

The first known incident involving a Boeing 737 which was subsequently attributed to an uncommanded rudder deflection occurred on 3 March 1991. This was notified to the Civil Aviation Authority on the following day by the US Federal Aviation Administration. On 10 November 1992, the US National Transportation Safety Board drew attention to six similar rudder problems which had occurred world-wide, and made some interim recommendations. This information was passed directly to all UK operators affected.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many Boeing 737 services are operated to and from United Kingdom airports on(a) scheduled and (b) charter operations; [5560]

(2) what percentage of total passengers travelling to and from the United Kingdom fly on Boeing 737 aircraft. [5561]

Mr. Bowis

In 1995 there were approximately(a) 214,000 scheduled and (b) 26,000 charter, passenger carrying flights operated to or from United Kingdom airports using Boeing 737 aircraft. These flights carried approximately 20 per cent. of the total number of passengers travelling to or from the United Kingdom in that year.