Boeing is facing challenges again with their 737 MAX, as it seems their issues with this aircraft are never-ending. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has highlighted a concerning incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, where a mid-exit door (MED) was lost in flight on January 5. The preliminary investigation suggests that missing bolts were the reason behind the door’s detachment.
During a routine flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, passengers and crew aboard flight AS1282 faced a harrowing situation when the left MED unexpectedly tore off, causing decompression and a visible hole in the aircraft’s fuselage. The NTSB’s thorough examination revealed that the MED plug, deactivated due to the plane’s seating configuration, lacked the necessary bolts designed to secure it. Specifically, three areas on the door plug showed signs of missing bolts, crucial for preventing the door from moving upward and eventually leading to its separation from the aircraft.
The investigation traced the MED plug’s origins back to its manufacture by Spirit AeroSystems in Malaysia on (March 24), 2023. It was later shipped to Spirit’s headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, before being installed on the fuselage. Despite a minor defect noted during its construction, indicating the plug was not perfectly flush with the fuselage by 0.01 inches, it was deemed “functionally acceptable” and sent to Boeing for final assembly. Repairs to damaged rivets required the removal of bolts, which were not replaced, leading to the incident.
Ongoing Investigations and Accountability
The NTSB, alongside Human Performance Investigators, visited Spirit AeroSystems to scrutinize the build process of the MED plug and observe the installation procedures, aiming to uncover how such a critical oversight occurred. The focus now shifts to understanding the documentation and communication breakdown between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems that allowed the aircraft to be deemed airworthy without the essential bolts.
Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, has publicly addressed the issue, acknowledging Boeing’s responsibility for the oversight and emphasizing the company’s commitment to improving quality control and ensuring the safety of its aircraft. Calhoun’s statement highlights Boeing’s determination to implement a comprehensive quality enhancement plan, stressing the need for transparency and decisive action to restore stakeholder confidence.
This incident has prompted a closer look at the manufacturing and quality assurance processes of both Boeing and its suppliers. As the NTSB continues its investigation to pinpoint the exact cause and contributing factors, the aviation industry watches closely. The ultimate goal is to implement measures that prevent such occurrences in the future, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew aboard all flights.
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