The American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is facing a series of quality setbacks that affect its 737 MAX airplanes. A recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 saw a door detachment, leading to the grounding of 171 aircraft and increasing concerns about the reliability of Boeing's manufacturing processes.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating this alarming event, focusing on Boeing's manufacturing process and the components surrounding door mechanisms. This has cast anxious shadows over Boeing's relationship with one of its key suppliers, Spirit AeroSystems, prompting a scrutiny of its operations after the recent quality issues.
Richard Aboulafia, a former member of the safety board, raised concerns about potential manufacturing flaws related to the door-locking mechanisms and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.
Boeing has expressed its full cooperation with regulatory bodies and customers, requesting an immediate examination of the "737-9" models that are similar in design to the affected aircraft. Meanwhile, analysts predict possible disruptions in Boeing's manufacturing plans for the year 2024.
Turkish Airlines stated that it has placed 5 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft under inspection as a precaution for flight safety (Getty)
Bloomberg cites analysts predicting a potential slowdown in production pace, which could impact delivery objectives for the year.
This stumbling block comes at a critical time for Boeing, as investors expect an increase in cash flow and a return to pre-2019 manufacturing rates. The company is under pressure to maintain quality standards and deliver flaw-free aircrafts to preserve customer trust.
Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, is grappling with a series of quality missteps that affect investor confidence in his competence, calling for a more focused turning point on Boeing’s management strategies. Calhoun has previously stated that he aims to stabilize the company after the turbulent aftermath of two fatal 737 MAX crashes nearly five years ago, referring to it as "an important transitional year" for the firm.
Beijing also halted the delivery of "737 MAX" airplanes to Chinese companies following these incidents.
Recently, Boeing had to delay deliveries due to structural problems with the aircraft, particularly in the rear section.
As of the end of December, Boeing has delivered over 1370 units of the "737 MAX" and has received orders for 4,000 units.
A Boeing 737 MAX lands during an evaluation flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, USA (Reuters – Archive)
Details
An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX suffered a window break during a flight in Oregon. Alaska Airlines announced that the plane made a safe emergency landing with no injuries reported, just 35 minutes after takeoff.
The airline stated it would inspect its fleet of 65 aircraft of the same model, a process expected to take several days. The company also grounded its entire fleet of this type on Saturday.
The specialized website "FlightAware" noted that the aircraft, carrying 171 passengers and six crew members, was at an altitude of 5,000 meters when the incident occurred.
To date, about 218 units of this model have been delivered, according to data obtained by the French Press Agency from Boeing.
The aircraft received certification last October, according to records available online from the Federal Aviation Administration.
