United safety check delays flights

United safety check delays flights    United Airlines canceled 38 flights and temporarily grounded 52 Boeing 777 jetliners on Wednesday to double-check components of a fire suppression system in the hold, according to media reports.
   The voluntary decision follows extra scrutiny of airline industry maintenance procedures by aviation authorities after Southwest Airlines recently was found to have missed regular inspection deadlines for its aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration directed airlines to review their maintenance records. Last week Delta Air Lines and American Airlines took hundreds of planes out of service to reinspect wiring.
   United said a review of maintenance records showed a test on one of five bottles in the fire suppression system hadn't been performed.
   Delays were reported in Chicago, Denver, Washington-Dulles, Los Angeles, Japan and Hawaii. Chicago-based United uses the 777 on international flights and to serve its main hub airports. The airline said it would use substitute aircraft or find other flights and airlines for passengers. The delays are also expected to effect cargo carried onboard the planes.
   United plans to complete the safety checks by mid-day Thursday, a spokesperson said.