American Airlines cancels flights to inspect wiring
Late Wednesday, Delta Air Lines Inc., the third-largest U.S. carrier, said it may scrub some flights while rechecking more than 130 similar jets.
About 13 percent of American's flights were affected as mechanics checked whether a sleeve covering a bundle of wires was installed in compliance with a Federal Aviation Administration directive. At least 80 of its 300 MD-80s were found to need modifications, the carrier said.
It's the second time in a week that American parent AMR Corp. had to scrub flights, amid industrywide FAA maintenance audits.
American spokesman Tim Wagner said 20 planes that needed changes had returned to service by Wednesday afternoon. MD-80s make up about 46 percent of Fort Worth, Texas-based American's main jet fleet.
The FAA, based on its experience at American, advised Delta and other MD-80 operators to check their wiring-sleeve compliance, agency spokesman Les Dorr said.
Atlanta-based Delta said said some flights may be canceled as a result of checking its planes. Delta expects to complete its review by the end of the week.
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