=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/n/a/2007/08/31/internatio= nal/i170829D48.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, August 31, 2007 (AP) Japan Says Part Missing in Boeing Plane By CHISAKI WATANABE, Associated Press Writer (08-31) 17:08 PDT TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- Inspectors found a key part missing in a Boeing jetliner during an emergency check prompted by the explosion of a similar plane last week in southern Japan, officials said Friday. Inspectors found a washer missing from a wing slat in a Boeing 737-700 airplane owned by Air Nippon, an oversight that could have led to a bolt coming loose, said Transport Ministry official Atsushi Shimamura. On Aug. 20, a China Airlines Boeing 737-800 landed at Okinawa's Naha airport and exploded in a fireball seconds after all 157 passengers and eight crew were safely evacuated. Investigators found that a bolt on the right wing slat had come loose and pierced a fuel tank, causing fuel to gush out and catch fire. Later, three parts including a washer were found near the fuel tank. Authorities do not yet know whether the bolt came loose because the wash= er was not in place. Following the explosion, officials were ordered to inspect all Boeing's newer 737 jetliners in Japan. There are 23 of them owned by three airline companies. Shimamura said that inspectors had not reached a conclusion about why the washer was missing from the Air Nippon plane, but that it was possible the mistake was made during production of the plane. Air Nippon had used the new aircraft since January. Boeing spokesman Mark Hooper in Hong Kong said he could not comment on this particular case, but he pointed to a statement saying the Chicago-based company was examining the plane's design and production to find a cause for the fire. ------------------------------------------------= ---------------------- Copyright 2007 AP <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".