Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has admitted to design flaws that led to a significant piece of fuselage detaching from a Boeing 737 Max-9 shortly after takeoff. This incident has raised concerns among several major clients who have highlighted Boeing’s longstanding issues with quality control. The incident occurred during Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which departed from Portland, Oregon, and was en route to California.
Passengers on board captured footage showing a large hole on the left side of the aircraft caused by the blowout. Flight data revealed that the plane had reached an altitude of 16,000ft (4876 meters) before initiating an emergency descent.
Fortunately, none of the 177 passengers and crew members sustained injuries, although some individuals required medical attention. CEO Dave Calhoun addressed Boeing employees at a meeting held at the company’s 737 factory near Seattle, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging their mistake and committing to complete transparency throughout the investigation and resolution process.
On Saturday, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made an announcement that it had issued an order for the temporary grounding of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for inspection. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed her agency’s potential plans to expand the investigation, which could involve a more thorough examination of Boeing and its manufacturing processes.
Turkish Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Aeromexico have also decided to suspend the operation of their Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for technical review. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority reported that none of the airlines operating within their territories currently have aircraft in the affected configuration.
Alaska Air Group Inc. and United Airlines Holdings have discovered additional 737 Max 9 jets with loose bolts following the FAA’s grounding order. Emirates’ chief, Tim Clark, commented on Boeing’s ongoing quality control problems, stating that this incident is just another example of that. The Max 9, which was introduced in 2017, is the latest addition to Boeing’s 737 series.
It is estimated that there are around 1,300 of these jets currently in service. However, the model has faced a series of mishaps in recent years, including two fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia that claimed the lives of 346 individuals. As a result, the aircraft was grounded for 20 months starting in March 2019.
