MD-11 Engine Pylons To Be Inspected For Cracks

WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration has quietly ordered airlines worldwide to inspect all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 jetliners for cracks in the pylons that hold the engines to its wings, the Los Angeles Times has learned.

The FAA described the cracks as an "unsafe condition," though it did not regard the problem as serious enough to ground the MD-11 fleet before inspections of all 130 of the 300-seat wide-body jetliners in service are completed next week.

The FAA, McDonnell and its subcontractors also are still trying to identify all MD-11 parts that were supplied by the manufacturer of the cracked pylon component to determine whether other flaws might exist.