DALLAS, April 8 (UPI) -- Texas-based American Airlines said it was canceling hundreds of flights Tuesday to inspect wiring in the wheel wells of its MD-80 fleet.
A statement from the airline said as many as 500 flights were to be canceled Tuesday and more were likely Wednesday.
The Federal Aviation Administration raised concerns over how American had followed an engineering change order regarding the fleet's air worthiness, specifically how the wires were spaced in the wheel wells and the direction in which retention clips and lacing cords were facing.
"We've been working in good faith to ensure that we are in complete compliance with this airworthiness directive," Gerard Arpey, chairman and chief executive officer of American Airlines, said in the statement. "We regret and apologize that we are once again causing inconvenience to our customers, but we will continue to work in good faith until we satisfy all of the technical issues related to this airworthiness directive."
American said it would accommodate customers "on other American flights or on flights operated by airlines in the same market. Customers may be automatically notified of flight changes; they should also check AA.com or with their travel agents for flight status."
The company said any airplane not completely in compliance with the FAA standards will be removed from service until the specifications are met.
