Boeing and FAA personnel under scrutiny in alaska airlines 737 MAX 9 emergency

11-4-2024 (WASHINGTON) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) initiates a fresh round of interviews this week with Boeing and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel as part of its investigation into the January in-flight emergency involving an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy disclosed on Wednesday that investigators have returned to the 737 plant in Renton, Washington, for further interviews. Homendy emphasized the importance of examining instances where a door plug was opened and closed to ensure proper documentation.

Boeing had previously indicated that essential documents detailing the removal of the door plug from the Alaska Airlines aircraft involved in the emergency were absent. The incident occurred when the door plug panel detached from the aircraft shortly after departure from Portland, Oregon, on January 5.

Homendy also highlighted ongoing scrutiny into Boeing’s safety culture and potential improvements. The NTSB is considering conducting a safety culture survey within Boeing to assess broader safety practices.

Following the incident, the FAA implemented a temporary grounding of the MAX 9, halted Boeing’s production increase of the MAX series, and mandated corrective action to address systemic quality-control deficiencies identified during an audit of Boeing’s manufacturing processes.

In a previous statement, Homendy revealed that investigators were unable to identify the individuals involved in the maintenance of the Alaska Boeing 737 MAX 9. The NTSB had determined that four critical bolts were absent from the door plug that dislodged during the flight.

The Justice Department has initiated a criminal inquiry into the emergency incident.

Homendy criticized Boeing’s initial lack of cooperation and failure to disclose certain documents, including those related to the door plug maintenance and the identities of 25 Renton-based workers. Subsequently, Boeing provided the requested information and affirmed its cooperation with the investigation.

The NTSB intends to convene a public investigative hearing on August 6-7 to delve deeper into the Alaska Airlines incident. The hearing is expected to feature testimonies from Boeing and fuselage manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems employees, as well as representatives from Alaska Airlines.