Aloha Airlines expected to complete inspection today of the wing slats of eight of the company's Boeing 737s in response to an order from the Federal Aviation Administration following a fire that destroyed a China Airlines 737 in Japan last week.

The federal agency issued the "emergency airworthiness directive" on Saturday, ordering owners and operators of Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER series airplanes to conduct detailed inspections and correct any problems.

The FAA is warning that loose or missing parts from the airplane's main slat track could result in a fuel leak and fire.

Last week, investigators in Japan found that a bolt from a wing slat punctured the fuel tank of the China Air jetliner that caught fire after landing in Okinawa. The 165 people aboard evacuated safely before the plane exploded.

Aloha Airlines spokesman Stu Glauberman said the company was inspecting eight of the company's Boeing 737s in response to the order. He said those airplanes handle the company's trans-Pacific routes, including Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.; and Sacramento, Oakland and Orange County, Calif.

He said the inspections could take place without disrupting travelers.

"It will not affect our schedule at this time," he said. "We will be in full compliance with the directive."

The slats slide out of the wings during takeoffs and landings to help stabilize the aircraft.

Glauberman said the inspection of the eight aircraft, which began yesterday, was expected to be completed today.

The Associated Press reported the order applies to 783 U.S. airplanes, including Southwest Airlines, which flies only 737s, and that there are more than 2,200 Boeing 737s worldwide.

The planes also are flown by Alaska, ATA, AirTran, American, Continental, Delta and other carriers.

The FAA order requires the detailed inspection be competed within 24 days.

According to the order describing the fire last week, "an initial investigation revealed that following retraction of the slats after landing on a Model 737-800 airplane, loose parts of the main slat track downstop assembly punctured the slat can, which resulted in a fuel leak and a fire that ultimately destroyed the airplane."

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.