The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has outlined a conditional pathway for the resumption of Boeing 737 Max 9 flights. However, a crucial restriction prohibits Boeing from expanding production of its Max jets, including the 737-9 Max model. This directive follows an incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight where a section of the fuselage was compromised, leading to temporary groundings and a comprehensive inspection by the FAA.
Alaska Airlines proactively grounded its entire fleet of 65 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft in response to the fuselage breach incident. The FAA mandates Boeing to undergo a thorough inspection and maintenance process for the 171 grounded Boeing 737-9 Max planes. Successful completion of this process is a prerequisite for the aircraft to be considered eligible for service return. The FAA’s decision is based on a meticulous review of data obtained from inspections conducted on 40 grounded planes.
The approved inspection and maintenance procedures include a comprehensive evaluation of exit door plugs and associated components, bolts, and guide tracks, with corrective action for any identified damage. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker emphasized that the thorough review does not signal a return to “business as usual for Boeing.”
Simultaneously, the National Transportation Safety Board is actively investigating the incident, focusing on determining whether the door panel that dislodged from the Alaska Airlines flight was adequately bolted before takeoff. Despite locating the plane’s plug door, the investigative team is yet to recover the associated bolts.
In response to the incident, the FAA recommended airlines inspect door plugs on Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, emphasizing the identical design of the door plugs in the 737-900ER and the Max 9.
This incident poses a challenge for Boeing’s flagship model, previously grounded for almost two years following the 2018 and 2019 crashes. Boeing reported that over 25% of the affected planes had undergone inspection, receiving a clean bill of health, prompting their return to service.
Boeing expressed solidarity with the FAA’s decision to ground the planes before resumption, collaborating with the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board investigation. The aerospace company reiterated its commitment to safety, prioritizing passenger well-being. Boeing acknowledged the impact on customers and passengers, reaffirming its dedication to addressing safety concerns transparently and responsibly. This development occurs amid Boeing’s efforts to overcome past challenges and restore confidence in its best-selling model.
