Boeing 737-9 Under Scrutiny: 40 Jets Inspected Following Midair Fuselage Incident
Recent developments in the aviation industry have put Boeing under the spotlight as federal officials continue investigations into a midflight fuselage panel loss involving an Alaska Airlines jetliner. Airlines have inspected 40 identical Boeing 737 Max 9 planes following the incident, as reported in a congressional committee briefing by federal officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in the process of reviewing the inspections and developing a maintenance procedure for the Boeing 737 Max 9 jets, ensuring their safety before resuming passenger flights.
During a two-hour Senate Commerce Committee briefing in Washington, Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker discussed the ongoing investigations. The incident in question occurred when a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines jetliner at 16,000 feet above Oregon. The investigations by both agencies are still in the early stages, with no immediate discussions about penalties or enforcement.
Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas highlighted the FAA’s broader focus on the challenges Boeing has faced over time, with the recent incident being a part of a larger concern.
The FAA and NTSB have not commented on the details of the briefing, but the focus is also on the FAA’s oversight effectiveness.
In a separate development, Homendy stated that the NTSB would investigate the manufacturing and installation of the panel by Spirit AeroSystems in Malaysia, a key supplier for Boeing. This scrutiny extends to Boeing’s global supply chain, which has seen significant outsourcing over the years.
Boeing CEO David Calhoun and Spirit CEO Patrick Shanahan met with Spirit employees in Wichita, Kansas, emphasizing collaboration for improvement. Both companies are currently facing scrutiny over the quality of their manufacturing.
The incident prompting these investigations occurred on January 5, when an Alaska Airlines Max 9 had to make an emergency landing after a door plug blew out after takeoff from Portland, Oregon. The NTSB is investigating the accident, while the FAA examines Boeing and its suppliers’ adherence to quality control procedures.
Following the incident, Alaska and United Airlines, the only other U.S. carrier operating the Max 9, discovered loose hardware in other aircraft and have since grounded their Max 9 fleets, leading to numerous flight cancellations.
Despite a slight increase in Boeing shares, the company has experienced an 18% drop since the incident, becoming the worst performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average during this period.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com