Boeing 737 Max 9 with Emergency Exit Door Detached During Flight... Indefinite Grounding

FAA "Manufacturing Defect Suspected"... Reinspection Needed
Part of Fuselage Detached During Flight... Flight Cancellations Cause Confusion

U.S. aviation authorities have decided to indefinitely extend the suspension of Boeing's 737 Max 9 aircraft operations, major foreign media reported on the 12th (local time). The model was involved in an accident on the 5th, during which a part of the fuselage detached mid-flight.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced this decision on the same day and stated that it plans to strengthen oversight of Boeing. Following the accident, the FAA announced on the 7th a suspension of operations for 171 aircraft of the same model, stating that the suspension would be lifted once safety is confirmed. The FAA described the measure as "for the safety of American travelers."

Boeing 737-Max 9 Grounded from All Flights [Photo by Portland AFP/Yonhap News]

The FAA also revealed that it is considering transferring part of the aircraft safety inspection procedures, currently handled directly by the manufacturer, from Boeing to a separate independent agency.

After the FAA's announcement, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, which operate this model, canceled all flights using the aircraft until the 16th.

Boeing 737 Max door plug fallen in a US residential area
[Photo by Portland Reuters/ Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 5th, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, carrying 177 passengers and departing from Portland Airport, experienced an incident immediately after takeoff where a modular component called a "door plug" (emergency exit cover) was torn off from the side of the fuselage. This caused a refrigerator-sized hole in the fuselage, leading to a rapid drop in cabin pressure. The aircraft immediately turned back and made an emergency landing about 20 minutes after takeoff. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries.

Subsequent FAA inspections revealed that bolts securing the door plugs were found to be loosely fastened on other airlines' 737 Max 9 aircraft as well. Dave Calhoun, Boeing's CEO, acknowledged responsibility for the accident on the 9th, four days after the incident, stating it was "our mistake."

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