The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is facing challenges in its investigation into the panel that blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner in January. The NTSB Chair expressed concerns over the lack of information regarding the workers who handled the panel. Boeing's CEO informed the NTSB that the company has no records of the job, complicating the investigation.
In response to the NTSB's request for security-camera footage to identify the workers involved, Boeing stated that the video had been overwritten after 30 days, rendering it unavailable for review. This limitation has hindered efforts to pinpoint the individuals responsible for the maintenance work on the panel.
Despite Boeing providing names of 25 employees who work on doors at the 737 factory, the specific workers who removed the panel remain unidentified. The NTSB Chair even reached out to Boeing's CEO, who reiterated the company's lack of records on the matter.
The NTSB's focus on identifying the workers has raised concerns about potential reluctance among individuals to cooperate with investigators. To address this issue, the NTSB has assured Boeing employees that their identities will be protected if they come forward with information.
Boeing has reiterated its commitment to supporting the investigation, although the absence of crucial records poses a significant challenge for the NTSB moving forward. The investigation into the January incident on the Alaska Airlines-operated Boeing 737 Max 9 continues as efforts to determine the cause of the panel detachment persist.
