Boeing warns of potential wing problems in some 737 aircraft

Boeing is telling some airlines flying its 737 model to replace a part on the planes’ wings, a move that could affect more than 100 aircraft.

Boeing said on Sunday that it is working with federal regulators and contacted airlines about potential problems discovered in one batch of “slat tracks” produced by a supplier.

The pieces are used to guide the slats located on the leading edge of an airplane’s wings, according to Boeing's news release. 

The company said it has identified 21 planes most likely to have the parts in question, and it’s advising airlines to check an additional 112 planes.

The replacement work should take one to two days after the parts are in hand, and the planes will not be used until the replacements are complete, according to the company.

That total does not include the 179 737 Max aircraft that could also have the parts in question. The 737 Max was grounded worldwide following two crashes involving the model.

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Contributing: Jay Cannon, USA TODAY