KUALA LUMPUR – Boeing mechanics, and not supplier Spirit AeroSystems, had reinstalled the door plug that blew off an Alaska Airlines flight “improperly”, various Alaskan media have reported, citing an anonymous insider who revealed the matter on an aviation blog.
Separately, The Seattle Times said it had confirmed Boeing’s responsibility with its own source.
The door plug – a fuselage panel – was originally installed on the Boeing 737 Max 9 by Spirit AeroSystems at its Wichita, Kansas facility, but was removed for repair and reinstalled by Boeing mechanics at the final assembly line in Renton, Washington.
The whistleblower on the aviation blog wrote that certain bolts meant to secure the door plug “were not installed when Boeing delivered the airplane”.
“Our own records reflect this,” the person added.
The door plug that blew out of the Alaska Airlines Max 9 plane was found in the backyard of a home in Portland, Oregon. The plane on January 5 was just 20 minutes into its flight when the fuselage panel blew out, decompressing the cabin and leaving passengers exposed. The flight turned back and landed safely, with no one injured.
The door plug drew Malaysia’s interest as handwriting in marker pen on the panel stated that it was ‘Made in Malaysia’ along with additional manufacturing information.
US watchdog National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) subsequently confirmed the panel was made in Malaysia. It was then transported to Boeing’s supplier in Wichita, and then onward to the MAX 737 factory in Renton.
Spirit AeroSystems had earlier said it was cooperating with investigations by US aviation authorities, while Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he had yet to receive any official details on the matter.
Boeing’s commercial plane unit CEO, Stan Deal, yesterday apologised in an internal memo for the problems highlighted following the blowout on the Alaska Airlines flight.
“Our long-term focus is on improving our quality so that we can regain the confidence of our customers, our regulator and the flying public. Frankly, we have disappointed and let them down. We are deeply sorry,” Deal had written in a note to staff, as reported by AFP.
The US Federal Aviation Administration had earlier grounded 171 MAX 9 planes after the Alaska Airlines incident, and following inspections has issued a list of actions airlines must follow in dealing with door plugs on all MAX 9s.
With this, carriers are returning their MAX 9s to the skies, including Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Copa Airlines and Aeromexico.
The Boeing CEO said Turkish Airlines will also put its MAX 9 planes back in service soon.
Boeing has been under increased scrutiny ever since two fatal 737 MAX crashes involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines. The problem with the planes then was a malfunction that put the aircraft into a “nosedive”. – January 28, 2024