US Authorities May Investigate Other Boeing Passenger Aircraft as Well

Manufacturing Defect Pointed Out, Not a Design Error

U.S. aviation authorities recently hinted at the possibility of investigating other aircraft models following an incident where a part of the fuselage of a Boeing 737 Max 9 passenger plane detached during flight.

According to Bloomberg on the 23rd (local time), Mike Whittaker, Administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), recently stated, "Boeing manufactures numerous aircraft," adding, "We will examine the Max model involved in the accident, but we will also systematically review Boeing to see if similar issues exist in other models." This means that if evidence of problems emerges, the manufacturing processes of other Boeing models, in addition to the 737 Max assembly process, could be investigated.

Earlier, on the 21st, the FAA also recommended safety inspections for the door plugs of Boeing's older model, the Boeing 737-900ER passenger aircraft.

The door plug, made of windows and wall panels, is a type of cover that blocks unnecessary emergency exits to allow for more seating. On the 5th, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 passenger plane flying over Oregon, USA, experienced an incident where this part detached mid-flight, forcing an emergency landing. The FAA has indefinitely suspended operations of the 737 Max 9 model and has also prohibited Boeing from delivering new Max 9 aircraft equipped with door plugs to airlines.

Administrator Whittaker stated that based on the investigation results so far, the issue appears related to manufacturing defects rather than design errors. Therefore, the FAA is focusing on quality control and manufacturing processes. He said, "The suspension of operations will be lifted once it is confirmed that the model is safe to fly."

U.S. airlines that have introduced this model have also criticized Boeing. Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines, recently revealed in an interview with NBC that their own inspections found many 737 Max 9 aircraft had bolts that were loosely fastened.

Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, one of Boeing's largest customers, also pointed out that he has lost confidence in Boeing's ability to overcome the current situation.

Meanwhile, the Boeing 737 Max 8 model was involved in two accidents in 2018 and 2019, resulting in 346 fatalities. Boeing expressed "deep regret for causing significant disruption" and stated that it is taking comprehensive measures to ensure the aircraft safely returns to service and to improve quality.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

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