A widening probe by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into Boeing has now shifted its focus to Spirit AeroSystems, a subcontractor used by the aerospace giant. The FAA is investigating Spirit AeroSystems, an aerospace company based in Wichita, Kansas, that manufactures and installs plug doors for Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes. The investigation comes after an incident on an Alaska Airlines flight on January 5, where a door plug fell off the fuselage midair after departure from Portland, Oregon, causing an emergency landing. As a result of this incident, the FAA has grounded all 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes in the United States during the ongoing probe.
In a statement on Wednesday, the FAA announced that it is now examining Boeing’s manufacturing practices and production lines, including those involving Spirit AeroSystems. The agency is looking to strengthen its oversight of Boeing and assess potential system changes. Spirit AeroSystems has expressed its cooperation with investigators and stated its support for Boeing’s efforts with the FAA and affected airlines to safely return the 737-9 fleet to service.
Alaska Airlines, which has 65 Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes, making up about 20% of its fleet, is experiencing a significant shortage of aircraft. This shortage has resulted in the cancellation of between 110 and 150 flights per day. Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci apologized to customers for the ongoing difficulty and assured them that the airline will not rush any aircraft back into service. He emphasized the need for complete resolution of findings and compliance with stringent standards set by Boeing, the FAA, and Alaska Airlines.
The FAA’s expanded probe comes shortly after the agency announced increased oversight of Boeing’s production and manufacturing processes. The agency plans to audit Boeing’s 737 Max 9 production line and its suppliers to evaluate compliance with approved quality procedures. Depending on the results of the initial audit, further audits may be conducted. In the meantime, inspections of the first 40 Boeing 737 Max 9s have been completed.
The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the incident on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. The flight, set to travel from Portland to Ontario International Airport, had to divert due to the detached door plug. It landed in the backyard of an Oregon high school teacher and is now with investigators.
Ultimately, the FAA affirms that the safety of the flying public will determine the timeline for returning the affected aircraft to service.