In a recent development, Boeing's CEO has been engaged in damage control discussions with lawmakers on Capitol Hill following a midair incident involving an Alaskan Airlines flight. The incident occurred when a door plug panel blew off, resulting in a gaping hole and necessitating an emergency landing. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now seeking reassurances from Boeing regarding the safety of its aircraft.
The CEO of Alaska Airlines revealed that loose bolts were discovered on multiple Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes during inspections conducted just yesterday. These issues will be addressed through the inspection process. Expressing disappointment, the CEO emphasized that Boeing is expected to adhere to higher standards. The unfortunate incident involving Flight 1282 should not have occurred.
The FAA's investigation has honed in on potential quality control issues during the construction of the 737 MAX 9. In the FAA's first one-on-one interview since the Alaska 1282 incident, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker confirmed that the focus of the investigation has shifted to quality control. Whitaker noted that while the door plug design on the MAX 9 is sound when properly executed, it is crucial that the bolts securing the plug are correctly installed. Failing to do so can result in the door dislodging with explosive force, as witnessed on January 5th.
With the aim of identifying any production-related problems, the FAA has deployed inspectors to Boeing's facility in Renton, Washington. These inspectors will closely scrutinize the manufacturing process. Additionally, the FAA now possesses data samples from roughly a quarter of the MAX 9 planes in the United States. This data will be thoroughly analyzed before any decision is made regarding the grounding of these aircraft.
When questioned about the safety of the MAX 9, the FAA Administrator emphasized that the plane will not be allowed back into service until Boeing has resolved the underlying issue. To address these concerns, Boeing announced a one-day pause for quality, scheduled for tomorrow. During this pause, Boeing employees will participate in work sessions focusing on quality improvements. Concurrently, Boeing's CEO is engaging in closed-door meetings with top lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
As the investigation progresses and scrutiny on production processes intensifies, both Boeing and the FAA are committed to ensuring the safety of the MAX 9. The FAA remains dedicated to resolving the issue before allowing the aircraft back into service.
