United Airlines asks FBI to probe alleged 737 tampering
     CHICAGO (August 23, 1997 4:40 p.m. EDT) --- United Airlines has
 called in federal agents to look into allegations that a maintenance
 worker tampered with a Boeing 737 at Indianapolis International Air-
 port, the FBI said Saturday.
     A criminal investigation will begin Monday, said FBI spokesman
 Doug Garrison, adding that Federal Aviation Administration officials
 were called in Thursday as well.
     "United said they found what they called two or three mainten-
 ance irregularities that appeared to be intentional. We thought we
 should look into it," Garrison said.
     He declined to describe the alleged tampering. He said the bu-
 reau will decide Monday whether to leave the matter up to the air-
 line or to continue a criminal investigation.
     Chicago-based United, a unit of UAL Corp, could not be reached
 for comment.
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