Alaska Airlines Discovers Loose Bolts in Boeing 737 Max 9 Fleet
Alaska Airlines has recently made a shocking discovery during inspections of its fleet of Boeing 737 Max 9s. According to CEO Ben Minicucci, “many” loose bolts were found, leading to frustration and disappointment within the company. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of these aircraft and has prompted a thorough investigation into Boeing’s production line.
The inspections were prompted by a near-disaster that occurred on Alaska Airlines flight 1282 on January 5 of this year. During the flight, a blanking plate blew off the 737 Max 9 aircraft, causing a rapid decompression. Fortunately, the incident did not result in any physical injuries or loss of control of the plane. However, it was a wake-up call for Alaska Airlines and other airlines operating the 737 Max 9.
In response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive, grounding all 737 Max 9s equipped with mid-cabin door plugs. These door plugs were used to allow for more passengers in the cabin, but their safety has now come into question. The FAA also announced an audit of Boeing’s production line to evaluate its compliance with approved quality procedures. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting its own investigation into the incident.
Alaska Airlines has been greatly affected by these developments, having to ground 65 of its aircraft. However, they are not the only airline expressing frustration with Boeing. United Airlines is now reconsidering its order for 277 737 Max 10s, which were expected to be delivered in 2020. Michael Leskinen, United’s CFO, stated that the grounding of the Max fleet has shattered their confidence in Boeing’s ability to deliver on schedule.
This recent incident is just another blow to Boeing’s once-stellar reputation in the aviation industry. The company’s focus on cost-cutting and share price growth, rather than engineering excellence, has been blamed for a decline in safety standards. This was evident in the fatal crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Boeing’s decision to hide the flaws of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, which could potentially crash the plane, has further eroded trust in the company.
Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Stan Deal, issued a statement expressing deep regret for the disruption caused to airlines and passengers. He assured that Boeing is taking comprehensive action to bring the 737 Max aircraft back into service safely and improve quality and delivery performance. However, a whistleblower at Leeham News and Analysis has shed light on potential quality control failures at Boeing’s production line in Renton, Washington.
To address these concerns, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will be appearing before Congress this week to answer questions about the 737 Max 9. The outcome of this hearing will be crucial in determining the future of Boeing’s relationship with airlines and the aviation industry as a whole.
In conclusion, the discovery of loose bolts in Alaska Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 737 Max 9s has raised serious concerns about the safety of these aircraft. The incident has prompted investigations into Boeing’s production line and has led to airlines reconsidering their orders. It is clear that Boeing’s reputation has suffered greatly due to a shift in management culture and a lack of transparency regarding safety issues. The upcoming congressional hearing with Boeing’s CEO will be a significant moment for the company and the aviation industry as they seek to restore trust and ensure the safety of passengers.
