WASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation

Administration said on Monday it is requiring inspections of

2,600 Boeing 737 airplanes because passenger oxygen masks

could fail during an emergency.

The FAA said it was requiring the inspections of 737 MAX and

NG airplanes after multiple reports of passenger service unit

oxygen generators shifting out of position, an issue that could

result in an inability to provide supplemental oxygen to

passengers during a depressurization event.

Boeing ( BA ), which did not immediately comment, on June 17 issued

a bulletin to airlines calling for visual inspections, the FAA

said.

The FAA said its airworthiness directive was immediately

effective and requires inspections and corrective actions if

needed within 120 to 150 days based on the 737 model. The FAA is

also barring airlines from installing potentially defective

parts.

Airlines must conduct a general visual inspection and if

needed replace oxygen generators with new or serviceable oxygen

generators, strap thermal pads and reposition impacted oxygen

generators, the agency said.