NTSB reveals missing bolts on Boeing 737 Max door plug that caused midflight incident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that missing bolts on a door plug caused a midflight incident on a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines. The incident occurred on January 5, when the plane was flying at about 16,000 feet out of Portland, Oregon. The blown-out panel was used to plug an unused emergency exit. The NTSB’s preliminary report stated that four bolts that prevent upward movement of the plug were missing before the incident occurred.

The report provides the most detailed information yet about what went wrong before the aircraft was handed over to Alaska Airlines. The fuselage, including the door plug, was produced by Spirit AeroSystems and arrived at Boeing’s Renton, Washington, plant on August 31. A day later, a repair was logged for five damaged rivets, which required the removal of bolts. The NTSB is investigating what manufacturing documents were used to authorize the opening and closing of the door plug during the rivet rework.

The accident led to the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a significant part of last month. However, most of the Max 9 planes in the U.S. have since returned to service. Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, acknowledged the company’s responsibility for the incident and expressed his commitment to addressing manufacturing defects that have caused delays in aircraft deliveries.

In response to the NTSB’s findings, Boeing stated that it appreciates the NTSB’s work and will review their findings promptly. The company also emphasized its cooperation with both the NTSB and FAA investigations. The FAA is currently conducting an audit of Boeing’s production lines and has halted the company from increasing output of the Max jet until regulators are satisfied with its manufacturing processes.

The incident occurred at a crucial time for Boeing, as it was attempting to ramp up production. The company’s focus now is on working closely with Boeing and regulators to continuously improve processes and meet the highest safety, quality, and reliability standards. Spirit AeroSystems also expressed its commitment to working with Boeing and regulators to improve processes and maintain safety standards.

Overall, the investigation into the missing bolts on the Boeing 737 Max 9 door plug highlights the importance of thorough manufacturing processes and quality control in the aviation industry. This incident serves as a reminder that even small defects can have serious consequences during flight. Through collaboration between manufacturers, regulators, and investigators, the industry aims to ensure the highest standards of safety and prevent future incidents.