Preliminary Report Reveals Missing Bolts in Blown-Out Door Incident on Boeing 737 Max 9
In a startling finding from federal investigators, it has been revealed that a door plug of a Boeing 737 Max 9 blew out midair during an Alaska Airlines flight due to missing bolts. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report, stating that evidence suggests the bolts were missing altogether at the time of the blowout, instead of malfunctioning. The report included a photo taken in September, a month before the plane was delivered to Alaska Airlines, clearly showing the hardware missing during maintenance work. This means that the aircraft operated for approximately two months without the necessary bolts before the incident occurred on January 5th.
The report, however, did not determine the cause or assign blame for the missing bolts. Further details will be included in the full report to be released at a later date. The NTSB, chaired by Jennifer Homendy, is now focusing on evaluating Boeing's quality assurance, quality management, and safety culture to prevent such incidents from recurring. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has inspected the planes thoroughly and assured their safety, Homendy acknowledges the possibility of similar incidents in the future, highlighting the importance of the NTSB's work in ensuring aviation safety.
The issue of aircraft safety oversight has also come under scrutiny, with concerns raised about the current system of self-reporting by manufacturers. In a congressional hearing, the FAA administrator acknowledged that the system is not working effectively and changes are necessary to guarantee the delivery of safe aircraft. The NTSB fully supports the need for these changes and is investigating not only Boeing's practices but also the FAA's oversight of the company.
Regarding the missing bolts, it has been determined that the removal of the door plug was required for repairs, and the bolts were not reinstalled. The NTSB has requested documentation to ascertain the specific stage at which the error occurred and to identify the necessary improvements. Meanwhile, Spirit Aero Systems, the contractor responsible for the fuselage, has cooperated with the investigation, providing the required information and asserting their commitment to transparency.
In a separate development, Boeing informed employees this week that mis-drilled holes were found in the fuselages of around 50 undelivered 737 planes. Boeing has stated that this issue does not pose an immediate safety risk. However, in light of these recent incidents, questions have been raised about the company's quality control measures. The NTSB is now focusing its investigation on Boeing's quality assurance and management systems, as well as its safety culture, aiming to address any deficiencies and prevent future occurrences.
Despite these concerns, Chair Jennifer Homendy has expressed confidence in the thorough inspections conducted by the FAA, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines, which also operate the Boeing 737 Max 9. Homendy commended Alaska Airlines for their seriousness and cooperation during the investigation, stating that she would have no hesitation flying on a Max 9, given the comprehensive safety measures taken.
As the investigation continues and the full report is awaited, the focus remains on addressing any deficiencies and ensuring the safety of future flights on the Boeing 737 Max 9.
