Boeing has decided to postpone its planned production expansion for the 737 Max planes following an alarming incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight in January. The company had previously instructed its supply chain to increase production rates from 38 aircraft per month to 42 in February 2024, and then up to 47 in August. However, these plans have been put on hold in light of the incident.
On January 5, an Alaska Airlines flight en route from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, experienced a frightening episode when a chunk of the plane's door plug was torn away at an altitude of 15,000 feet. Passengers onboard captured images and videos showing a significant hole in the aircraft's side as it made an emergency landing. Fortunately, no one was seated in the vicinity of the dislodged part, averting a potentially tragic outcome.
In response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) promptly grounded 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes on January 6 for safety inspections, each taking approximately eight hours to complete. Subsequently, the FAA prohibited Boeing from proceeding with the planned production increase for all 737 Max planes.
Following an investigation into the Alaska Airlines event, the FAA directed Boeing to develop a quality control plan within 90 days to address identified quality issues. As a result, Boeing's updated 737 supplier schedule indicates that the production expansions initially slated for February are now rescheduled for June.
Boeing's decision to delay production expansion underscores the company's commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of its aircraft. The FAA's stringent oversight and directives aim to uphold aviation safety standards and prevent potential risks associated with the 737 Max planes.
