Yes Fender, a history which should not be forgotten and management should resist any temptation to let down their guard. but in this case it is becoming more apparent each day that this event could simply be just plain bad luck.
This from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) today:
Applicability: All Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Accomplish a detailed inspection of each main slat track downstop assembly to verify proper installation of the slat track hardware (the bolt, washers, downstops, sleeve, stop location, and nut shown in Figure 1 of Boeing Service Letter 737-SL-57-084-B, dated 10 July 2007; and in this Directive). If any part is missing orinstalled incorrectly, before further flight, install a new or serviceable part using amethod approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (g) of FAA AD 2007-18-51; and accomplish a detailed inspection of the inside of the slat track housing for foreign object debris (FOD) and damage. Before further flight, remove any FOD found and repair any damage found using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (g) of FAA
AD 2007-18-51.
The FAA received reports of parts of the main slat track downstop assembly coming off the main slat track. In one case, a nut fell into the slat track housing and, during a subsequent slat retraction, the track made contact with the nut, pushing it into the wall of the housing and puncturing it. In a recent case, an initial investigation revealed that following retraction of the slats after landing on a Model 737-800 aircraft, loose parts of the main slat track downstop assembly punctured the slat track housing, which resulted in fuel leakage and a fire that ultimately destroyed the aircraft.