Alaska Airlines finds more 'loose hardware' on its Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes after midair blowout
Alaska Airlines has discovered additional 'loose hardware' on some of its grounded Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes following a midair blowout incident. United Airlines has also found bolts requiring tightening on door plugs similar to the one that blew out on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. The FAA, Boeing, and the individual airlines are working on inspection guidelines and repairs. Inspections are expected to take several days and may result in flight cancellations.
Alaska Airlines Discovers 'Loose Hardware' on Grounded Planes
Alaska Airlines has confirmed the finding of 'loose hardware' on a number of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes, following a midair blowout incident last week. Initial reports from technicians indicate that some loose hardware was visible on certain aircraft. All planes are undergoing thorough inspections as per instructions from the FAA and Boeing. The final paperwork from Boeing and the FAA is still awaited to complete the inspection process.
On Saturday, the FAA temporarily grounded 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes, similar to the one involved in the blowout, for enhanced inspections. Alaska Airlines is now awaiting new guidelines from Boeing, which will then need to be approved by the FAA before the repairs can commence. These inspections are expected to take several days and may disrupt flight schedules.
United Airlines Also Discovers Bolts Needing Tightening
In addition to Alaska Airlines, United Airlines has reported finding bolts requiring tightening on door plugs similar to the one that blew out on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. United Airlines has identified nearly 10 aircraft with loose bolts during preliminary inspections, an increase from the originally reported five. The inspection guidelines and repairs are currently being discussed among Boeing, the FAA, and the airlines.
Boeing is expected to revise the guidelines submitted to the airlines, which will then need approval from the FAA. Once the final process is approved, inspections can commence. However, these inspections are predicted to last multiple days and may result in the cancellation of several flights. The FAA has stated that the MAX 9 planes with the same fuselage panel as the one blown out will remain grounded until operators complete enhanced inspections on door exit plugs, door components, and fasteners.
Inspections Expected to Cause Flight Cancellations
The inspection process for the Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes is expected to cause flight cancellations. Once the FAA approves the final inspection guidelines, airlines will need to conduct thorough inspections on their aircraft. These inspections are anticipated to take several days to complete. The FAA has stated that the 171 MAX 9 jetliners installed with the same fuselage panel as the one blown out will remain grounded until the enhanced inspections are finished.
Passengers should prepare for disruptions to their travel plans as multiple flights may be canceled due to the inspections. Despite the inconvenience, the FAA and airlines are prioritizing safety and ensuring that every Boeing airplane meets design specifications and safety standards. Boeing has expressed regret for the impact on customers and passengers. More updates will be provided as the inspections progress.
