Missing Bolts Found in Door Plug of Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, NTSB Report Reveals
In a recent report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it has been revealed that bolts were missing from a door plug that blew out midair on a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines. The incident occurred on January 5, leaving a gaping hole in the fuselage of the aircraft as it was flying at an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet. The panel that blew out was meant to plug an unused emergency exit.
According to the NTSB’s preliminary report, “the observed damage patterns and absence of contact damage or deformation around holes associated with the vertical movement arrestor bolts and upper guide track bolts in the upper guide fittings, hinge fittings, and recovered aft lower hinge guide fitting indicate that four bolts that prevent upward movement of the MED plug were missing before the MED plug moved upward off the stop pads.” This suggests that the missing bolts were responsible for the failure of the door plug.
Following the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the Boeing 737 Max 9 for a significant portion of last month. However, most of the Max 9 planes in the U.S. have since returned to service. The preliminary report places the blame squarely on Boeing and provides detailed information about what went wrong before the aircraft was delivered to Alaska Airlines.
Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, has acknowledged the company’s responsibility for the incident. In a recent earnings call, Calhoun stated, “We caused the problem. Over these last few weeks, I’ve had tough conversations with our customers, with our regulators, congressional leaders and more. We understand why they are angry, and we will work to earn their confidence.” This admission comes as Boeing faces pressure to address manufacturing defects that have resulted in delayed aircraft deliveries.
In response to the incident, the FAA is conducting an audit of Boeing’s production lines. Last month, the FAA announced that it would halt Boeing from increasing production of the popular Max jet beyond the current rate of 38 aircraft per month until regulators are satisfied with the company’s production processes. The accident occurred at a critical time for Boeing as it was attempting to ramp up production.
The findings of the NTSB report highlight the importance of thorough quality control measures in aircraft manufacturing. The missing bolts in the door plug of the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 resulted in a dangerous midair incident that could have had catastrophic consequences. As investigations continue, it is crucial for Boeing to address these manufacturing defects and regain the confidence of its customers, regulators, and the flying public.
This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.