Following a significant in-flight incident involving an Alaska Airlines-operated Boeing 737 Max 9 jet, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has commenced a formal investigation into the aircraft manufacturer. The emergency landing was necessitated last week due to a cabin panel blowout, shortly after the aircraft took off from Oregon.
The FAA stated on Thursday, "This incident should have never happened, and it cannot happen again." The panel, also known as a "door plug," detached, leaving a substantial hole in the aircraft's body.
The January 5 incident landed safely without any fatalities or severe injuries, but the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has cautioned that the circumstances could have been grave.
This investigation signifies a more assertive stance from the FAA, marking the first substantial in-flight safety issue since the fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which collectively claimed the lives of 346 people and resulted in a ground stop of all such aircraft for close to two years. Boeing may face a financial penalty pending the outcome of the FAA's inquiry.
The FAA is also probing "additional discrepancies on other Boeing 737-9 airplanes." A letter issued to Boeing, allowing a ten-day reply window, concerned reports from Alaska and United Airlines of "loose" hardware on recently delivered aircraft.
Asserting that Boeing's manufacturing practices must align with the stringent safety standards it is legally obliged to fulfill, the FAA's letter highlighted the requirement for Boeing to guarantee that "completed products" are in a "condition for safe operation."
The FAA requested that Boeing's response should detail the "root cause" of the incident, corrective actions to prevent recurrence, and any extenuating factors.
In response, Boeing has pledged to "cooperate fully and transparently" with the ongoing investigations.
Aviation consultant Jeff Guzzetti, formerly heading the FAA's investigation division and an ex-NTSB employee, indicated the investigation might extend to Boeing's broader production processes. While the investigation could lead to fines and span several months, Guzzetti hopes that the issue with the Alaska Airlines jet is an isolated case.
US regulators have grounded 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes sharing the same configuration as the involved jet following this month's incident. In light of the latest crisis, Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun has promised "complete transparency".
During a CNBC interview, Calhoun stated that Boeing is still in the stage of gathering facts and intends to identify the discrepancies within their inspection processes. The problematic panel, designed to cover additional door spaces when not needed for safety, appears to have been inadequately secured, as per NTSB investigators.
Instructions for 737 Max 9 plane inspections are currently being developed by Boeing in collaboration with the FAA before these aircraft can resume service. Alaska Airlines has canceled flights on the affected aircraft until January 13, causing approximately 110 to 150 flight cancellations daily.
On Friday, a Seattle-based law firm filed a class-action lawsuit against Boeing, alleging physical, psychological, and emotional distress experienced by passengers aboard the Alaska Airlines flight. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation for medical treatment, travel expenses, and loss of personal belongings.
