The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report on the mid-air blowout of a fuselage door plug on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 flight in January, attributing the incident to critical missing bolts.
Investigators found that four bolts designed to secure the door plug were absent during the flight. This failure allowed the door plug to dislodge at cruising altitude, causing rapid decompression and forcing an emergency landing.
The report highlights concerns about potential lapses in quality control during the aircraft’s manufacturing process. While the exact cause for the missing bolts remains under investigation, the NTSB suggests they may have been removed at Boeing’s Washington factory last September to access damaged rivets near the door.
The investigation revealed that following the rivet repair, Boeing technicians failed to reinstall the crucial bolts.
Concerns are mounting over Boeing’s ability to deliver safe aircraft after the FAA approved the return of the 737 Max following a mid-air blowout incident. Allied Pilots Association spokesperson Captain Dennis Tajer sharply criticized Boeing’s production practices, highlighting a lack of consistent reliability and safety. He urged the FAA to take a more proactive stance in addressing these issues, stating that the current situation is unacceptable.
This incident has reignited scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing practices, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facing pressure to increase oversight. The FAA Chief, Mike Whitaker, recently testified before a congressional committee pledging to hold Boeing accountable.
The NTSB report is a critical first step in understanding the cause of the blowout and preventing similar incidents in the future. Passengers on board the Alaska Airlines flight were fortunate to escape serious injury, but the potential consequences of such a mid-air failure underscore the importance of thorough safety protocols.
