NTSB Schedules Hearings on Boeing 737 MAX Door Incident Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced it will conduct extensive hearings concerning the January incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9, where a door panel detached mid-flight. Scheduled for August 6-7, the hearings will delve into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including manufacturing and inspection processes of the Boeing 737 MAX, and the oversight roles of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Spirit AeroSystems.

The incident, which occurred on January 5, led to an emergency landing after a door plug on the aircraft blew off, creating a significant opening at 16,000 feet. This alarming event prompted the FAA to temporarily ground all 737-9 airplanes and mandate comprehensive safety checks before allowing them to fly again. Additionally, the FAA has halted Boeing’s plans to expand its MAX production pending a thorough review of the company’s manufacturing practices.

During the hearings, which are set to last 20 hours over two days, the NTSB will examine the safety and quality management systems in place at Boeing and its suppliers. The board previously revealed that the door plug was missing four crucial bolts, a key factor in the incident. This has led to a criminal investigation by the Justice Department.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has indicated that the hearings will feature testimonies from representatives of Alaska Airlines, Boeing, and Spirit AeroSystems. However, Boeing’s participation will be limited. Following a breach of NTSB rules regarding the sharing of non-public information with the media and speculative comments about the cause of the incident, Boeing has been excluded from accessing information produced during the investigation and from questioning other participants during the hearings.

Elizabeth Lund, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Quality, who previously made the controversial remarks, is expected to testify. The NTSB has also issued subpoenas to ensure the appearance of Boeing witnesses at the hearings.

The NTSB has stated that the full investigation is anticipated to take between one year and 18 months to complete, aiming to thoroughly understand the factors leading to the incident and to ensure such safety risks are mitigated in the future.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com, reuters.com