U.S. Airlines Impacted by the FAA’s Boeing 737-900ER Inspection Directive
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a recommendation for airlines operating Boeing 737-900ER jets to inspect door plugs, ensuring they are securely fastened. This guidance follows reports from operators of unspecified issues with bolts upon inspections.
The Boeing 737-900ER, an older model from Boeing, utilizes a plug system similar to that on the Boeing 737-9. The majority of the latter have been grounded following a Jan. 5 incident where a door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines 737-9 Max.
The focus on the 737-900ER models comes despite these aircraft undergoing regular maintenance checks since their delivery. The urgency for inspection is less pronounced compared to the 737-9s, as not all 737-900ERs are equipped with door plugs.
During its production, Boeing delivered 52 737-900s and 505 737-900ERs to US and international airlines.
These door plugs, which replace unused emergency exits, are more commonly found on planes with seating capacities under 189. For aircraft with 189 or more seats, regulations require an active door instead of a plug to maintain adequate evacuation routes.
The specific airlines known to be affected and conducting inspections on their Boeing 737-900ER fleets include:
- Alaska Airlines: They have already begun inspecting their 737-900ER planes and have not encountered any issues so far. Alaska Airlines has a total of 79 Boeing 737-900ERs in its fleet.
- United Airlines: United has confirmed the commencement of inspections on its 737-900ER fleet, which consists of 136 aircraft. They expect to complete these inspections shortly without impacting their customers.
- Delta Air Lines: Delta operates its Boeing 737-900ER aircraft in a two-class configuration and has started inspections as well. Delta Air Lines has 63 Boeing 737-900ERs in its fleet.
Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium provides insight into the current service status of the Boeing 737-900ER fleet. Of the 490 planes in operation, 79 feature a higher-density configuration with 189 seats or more, necessitating the use of a door instead of a plug. It’s also noted that some jets have undergone trading since their delivery, potentially altering their original seating configurations.
This FAA recommendation highlights the ongoing focus on safety and maintenance in the aviation industry, particularly concerning older aircraft models like the Boeing 737-900ER.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com, boeing.com