Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 Experiences Door Plug Issue Inflight, Prompting Grounding of Aircraft
In a dramatic turn of events, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 recently experienced a door plug issue while in flight, leading to rapid depressurization. Luckily, there were no passengers seated next to the hole on that particular flight out of Portland, and the pilots were able to safely land the plane. However, this incident has resulted in the grounding of the new aircraft type.
The 737 MAX 9 is a stretched version of the 737 MAX 8, which was previously grounded following the Lion Air and Ethiopian crashes. Unlike ultra low-cost carriers, airlines that prioritize passenger comfort and safety have a ‘door plug’ instead of an extra emergency exit door. This door plug is crucial for evacuating a larger number of passengers in case of an emergency. The specific door plug in question was manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems in Malaysia. Both Boeing and Spirit have faced quality control issues in the past.
Since the incident, several 737 MAX 9s have been inspected, and some have been found to have loose door plugs. The door plug is supposed to be held in place by four bolts, but it is unclear whether these bolts were installed incorrectly or if they simply loosened over time due to the vibrations experienced during flight.
If the issue is solely due to poor installation, it can be easily rectified by inspecting and fixing the problem. However, if the door plug was correctly installed and still came loose, there may be a more significant underlying problem. The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board suggests that structural flexing of the aircraft could be a potential cause. This means that the much heavier engines of the MAX 9 may have resulted in flexing and vibration of the fuselage, causing the bolts to shear off or unscrew if they were positioned at stress points.
While it has not been confirmed that structural flexing is the cause of the door plug detachment or loose bolts on other aircraft, it is a possibility that needs to be thoroughly investigated. The concern arises from the fact that the exact cause is still unknown. If structural flexing is indeed a contributing factor, frequent inspections would be necessary to ensure the tightness of the bolts. This would involve removing interior wall panels to verify their condition, making it a more involved process than a one-time inspection.
Furthermore, if it is discovered that bolts continue to loosen during regular operations, it would indicate a design flaw in the aircraft. This would require greater reinforcement and raises questions about potential stress points elsewhere on the fuselage. As a result, there are still several unanswered questions regarding the 737 MAX 9.
In conclusion, the recent door plug issue experienced by an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 has raised concerns about the safety and structural integrity of the aircraft. While investigations are ongoing, it is crucial to identify the root cause and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The aviation industry will be closely watching for updates and any potential design modifications that may be required to ensure the continued safety of passengers and crew flying on the 737 MAX 9.
