United Airlines had to undergo flight cancellations and delays for unscheduled maintenance, due to inspections not being completed on a critical computer equipment upgrade required by the FAA.
The maintenance checks are being made to their air data computers, which measure altitude and speed, and takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete. It involved installing new circuit breakers, relays, and related components, and making various wiring changes in and between the flight deck and main equipment center.
These maintenance checks ensure that the flight crew is able to silence an error warning for over speed or stalling of the aircraft. If not, “the flight crew could act on hazardously misleading information, which could result in loss of control of the airplane,” according to United Airlines spokeswoman Megan McCarthy. They are hoping to have their planes back in the air safely, as soon as possible.
