Washington, D.C. – The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has ramped up its investigation into the January incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, where a door plug panel blew off shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon. This week, investigators returned to Boeing’s 737 manufacturing plant in Renton, Washington, to conduct a new series of interviews with Boeing and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy announced on Wednesday that the investigative team is scrutinizing other instances where door plugs were opened and closed, ensuring that all records are accounted for. “We are looking at other instances to make sure that those records are available,” Homendy stated during a U.S. Senate hearing. The investigators’ primary concern revolves around missing records and undisclosed documentation related to the door plug removal and installation processes.
In a development that raises concerns about manufacturing oversight, Boeing revealed last month that required documents detailing the removal of the door plug on the affected aircraft were likely never created. Homendy noted that Boeing and investigators have yet to identify the personnel who worked on the aircraft in question. “This work occurred in September. They move a lot of planes through that factory,” she explained. “The biggest concern is missing records.”
Emphasizing that the focus is on procedural deficiencies rather than individual shortcomings, Homendy added, “This isn’t a gotcha on anybody.” She also mentioned that efforts to interview the door plug team manager have been hampered due to the manager being on sick leave.
The incident has reignited scrutiny over Boeing’s safety culture. The NTSB is considering conducting a safety culture survey at the company. “They want to know and they want to fix it,” Homendy said, acknowledging Boeing’s cooperation in providing requested documents and information.
The implications of the investigation are significant. Following the January 5 incident, where four key bolts were found missing from the door plug, the FAA took decisive action by grounding the 737 MAX 9 fleet for several weeks. Boeing was barred from increasing MAX production and was mandated to address systemic quality-control issues within 90 days after an audit highlighted concerns in the company’s manufacturing processes.
Adding to Boeing’s challenges, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into the emergency. The NTSB has previously criticized Boeing for a lack of cooperation, particularly regarding the disclosure of documents and the identities of 25 workers on the door crew in Renton. However, following public remarks from Homendy in March, Boeing has since provided the required information and affirmed its commitment to collaboration.
The NTSB plans to hold a public investigative hearing on August 6-7 to delve deeper into the incident. The hearing will feature testimonies from employees of Boeing, fuselage manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems, Alaska Airlines, and other relevant parties.
As global aviation stakeholders watch closely, the investigation’s outcomes may have broad implications for safety protocols and manufacturing practices not only in the United States but also for airlines and manufacturers across Asia and beyond. The incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous safety standards in the aviation industry, a matter of utmost relevance to Asia’s booming air travel market and its travelers.
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NTSB conducting new interviews on Boeing 737 MAX 9 door plug probe
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