Portland, Oregon – United Airlines has discovered loose bolts in its 737 Max 9 fleet while conducting inspections following an incident involving Alaska Airlines over the weekend. The exact number of planes affected has not been disclosed. United stated that the loose bolts were likely due to installation issues in the door plug and that their Tech Ops team will address the problem to ensure the safe return of the aircraft to service.
In response to the findings, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded all 737 Max 9s as a precautionary measure. The safety of the flying public is the FAA’s top priority, and the agency will only allow the planes to resume operations when satisfied that they are safe.
As a result of the emergency inspections, United Airlines had to cancel 200 Max 9 flights on Monday and expects significant cancellations on Tuesday as well. Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, has expressed its commitment to working closely with operators and addressing any findings from the inspections. The company aims to ensure that every Boeing airplane meets design specifications and the highest safety standards.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident involving the Alaska Airlines flight. NTSB investigators have recovered the door plug that detached from the aircraft, providing them with crucial evidence. The incident, which caused an explosive decompression of the Alaska Airlines plane, occurred soon after takeoff. Thankfully, no passengers or crew members were injured in the incident.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy highlighted the chaotic situation inside the plane’s cabin caused by the detachment of the door plug. The incident resulted in headrests, tray tables, and even cell phones being sucked out of the hole in the plane. Additionally, the cockpit door was blown open, and a laminated quick reference checklist used by the pilots was also sucked out.
The investigation is examining the door plug, its frame, and the components used to secure it in place to determine the cause of the incident. The NTSB will also conduct interviews with the flight crew and passengers to gather further information.
It is still unclear whether there is a correlation between the illuminated auto pressurization fail light and the blowing out of the door plug. The investigation has also revealed three previous incidents where the light illuminated during flights on the same Alaska Airlines plane. However, these incidents were considered benign, and the plane was limited to overland use to ensure a quick return to an airport in case of further issues.
In conclusion, United Airlines has identified loose bolts in its 737 Max 9 fleet, prompting the FAA to ground all these aircraft until they are deemed safe. The NTSB is investigating the Alaska Airlines incident, where a door plug detached mid-flight, causing an explosive decompression. The investigation will focus on determining the cause of the detachment and any potential correlation with previous incidents of an illuminated auto pressurization fail light.