In a shocking revelation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it has been discovered that four crucial bolts securing the door plug of a Boeing 737 MAX 9 were missing during an Alaska Airlines flight incident last month. This finding raises concerns about Boeing's quality control and safety measures, prompting the company's CEO to express regret and accept responsibility.
The investigation into the incident has centered on the door plug bolts since the beginning. These bolts play a crucial role in holding the door plug in place on the side of the aircraft. Typically, there are two bolts at the top and two at the bottom. Both Alaska and United Airlines had reported instances of loose bolts, but the NTSB has now confirmed that Alaska Flight 1282 was missing all four bolts.
Thanks to recovered evidence, including the door plug itself, investigators were able to examine the damage and identify the absence of the bolts. Damage patterns on the door plug indicated upward and outward movement, while the bolt holes showed no signs of damage, suggesting that the bolts were not present.
Of further concern is the NTSB's suggestion that the plane had been flying for two months with missing bolts, essentially posing a significant risk to all passengers and crew onboard. It appears that the oversight occurred during repair work conducted at Boeing's Renton factory. The door plug was removed to address rivet-related repairs, and while it was eventually reinstalled, the necessary bolts were overlooked.
This latest development deepens the scrutiny on Boeing's quality control practices, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently conducting an audit of their factories. The FAA has deployed two dozen inspectors to the 737 factory to investigate further. It is important to note that the NTSB report has not assigned blame or established a probable cause for the incident, with the final report expected to be released approximately a year from now.
In response to the findings, the CEO of Boeing has acknowledged the company's accountability and expressed a commitment to improving aircraft safety. The incident highlights the need for greater diligence and attention to detail to prevent such occurrences in the future.
As the investigation progresses, the aviation industry and regulators will be closely monitoring the actions taken by Boeing and the FAA to ensure that similar oversights are not repeated, safeguarding the well-being of passengers and crew on all Boeing aircraft.
