Federal authorities recently informed a congressional committee about ongoing investigations into an incident where a Boeing jetliner lost a fuselage panel mid-flight, which caused a Midair Blowout. Airlines have examined 40 similar Boeing aircraft in response.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently assessing data from these inspections, particularly focusing on the Boeing 737 Max 9 models. This review is essential for establishing a maintenance protocol before these aircraft resume passenger flights.
During a two-hour session, Jennifer Homendy, head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker updated the Senate Commerce Committee in Washington about the incident. The Alaska Airlines jet lost a panel while flying over Oregon at 16,000 feet, and the investigations into both Boeing and the specific accident are still in preliminary stages.
Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas remarked after the private meeting that although no specific penalties were discussed, he expects consequences following the investigation’s conclusion. He noted Whitaker’s emphasis on Boeing’s broader challenges, with this incident being a part of a larger pattern.
Moran also mentioned the committee’s interest in ensuring the FAA’s effective oversight. Both the FAA and NTSB declined to comment on the details of the briefing.
In a related development, Homendy stated that the NTSB will investigate the manufacturing and installation of the panel by Spirit AeroSystems. This panel was made in Malaysia, a key location in Boeing’s extensive global supply chain. A Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson confirmed the Malaysian production of the part and expressed the company’s cooperation with the NTSB investigation.
Boeing CEO David Calhoun visited Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas, emphasizing collaboration for improvement. During a town hall with about 200 employees, alongside Spirit CEO Patrick Shanahan, Calhoun expressed confidence in learning and applying lessons from this incident across the companies’ operations.
Shanahan, addressing the workforce, highlighted the importance of working with the NTSB, FAA, airlines, and Boeing to rebuild trust.
This meeting came at a time when both companies are under scrutiny for their manufacturing quality.
The incident in question involved an Alaska Airlines Max 9 making an emergency landing after a door plug detached post-takeoff from Portland, Oregon, on January 5.
The NTSB is investigating the accident, and the FAA is examining Boeing and its suppliers’ adherence to quality-control norms.
Following the incident, Alaska and United Airlines, both operators of the Max 9, discovered loose hardware in other aircraft. This has led to numerous flight cancellations as the Max 9s remain grounded.
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Boeing’s stock saw a 1% rise on Wednesday but has fallen 18% since the incident, marking the company as the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s worst performer in this period.