PORTLAND, Oregon – A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board reveals that missing bolts may have caused a door plug to blow out midair on a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines. The incident, which took place on January 5, 2024, resulted in a large hole in the fuselage of the aircraft as it ascended over Portland. The panel that blew out is typically used to secure an unused emergency exit.
According to the NTSB report, the absence of certain bolts around the upper guide fittings and hinge fittings indicates that four bolts that prevent upward movement of the MED plug were missing. This finding places responsibility squarely on Boeing and provides new insights into the sequence of events leading up to the accident.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded the Max 9 for a significant portion of last month. However, most Max 9 planes in the U.S. have since resumed operations. Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, has acknowledged the company’s accountability for the incident, especially considering the ongoing scrutiny of its manufacturing processes and delivery delays.
The FAA is currently conducting an audit of Boeing’s production lines, and last month, it announced a suspension of any increase in production of the Max jet until regulators are satisfied with the company’s production processes. This pause comes at a crucial time for Boeing as it strives to ramp up output.
This recent incident adds to the ongoing challenges faced by Boeing’s embattled 737 Max fleet. The Max series has faced intense scrutiny and regulatory issues since two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Safety concerns and production deficiencies have plagued the aircraft, leading to worldwide groundings and delays in its recovery.
As investigations and regulatory assessments continue, Alaska Airlines and other operators of the 737 Max will face increased scrutiny to ensure the safety and reliability of these aircraft. The findings from the NTSB report will likely play a crucial role in shaping future actions taken by Boeing and aviation authorities to address the issues surrounding the 737 Max fleet.
For further updates on this developing story, stay tuned.