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Boeing has advised airlines operating its 737 Max jets to conduct inspections for potential loose bolts following the discovery of missing bolts in the rudder control system on two aircraft, as announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In a statement, Boeing said, “Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending operators inspect their 737 Max airplanes and inform us of any findings.”

The recommended inspections, expected to take approximately two hours per aircraft, will target safety-critical components across the roughly 1,300 737 Max jets currently operating. This directive is part of Boeing’s continued efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of its fleet, especially after the 737 Max faced grounding due to multiple autopilot errors and fatal accidents shortly after its introduction in 2018.

This comes as Boeing faces financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID pandemic and a significant third-quarter loss of $1.6 billion. The company attributes these losses to decreased demand for new aircraft and the expensive contract for the next Air Force One.