Boeing 747 operators can no longer ignore corrosion on a specific antenna plate
What happened
The US aviation regulator now requires all operators of Boeing 747 airplanes to perform new, repetitive inspections. They must check a specific satellite communication antenna plate for corrosion and fix any damage they find.
Why it matters
This is a standard safety update for aging aircraft. It means operators of older Boeing 747s will add a new item to their regular maintenance checks. The goal is to ensure a specific part does not fail due to corrosion, which could affect communications.
The signal
Watch for any reports of this specific antenna plate failing due to corrosion after these inspections begin.