Alaska Airlines and United Airlines found loose bolts on some of their Boeing 737-9 MAXs while inspecting the planes.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded certain 737-9 MAXs following the emergency landing made by Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.
Alaska Airlines says they have now found loose bolts on some of their Boeing 737-9 MAXs
“Initial reports from our technicians indicate some loose hardware was visible on some aircraft,” the statement says. https://t.co/c7xNCBorVN
— avgeekjake (@avgeekjake) January 9, 2024
“As our maintenance technicians began preparing our 737-9 MAX fleet for inspections, they accessed the area in question. Initial reports from our technicians indicate some loose hardware was visible on some aircraft,” Alaska Airlines stated.
From Alaska Airlines:
When we are able to proceed with the formal inspection process, all aircraft will be thoroughly inspected in accordance with detailed instructions provided by the FAA in consultation with Boeing. Any findings will be fully addressed in a matter that satisfies our safety standards and FAA compliance. The formal inspections will also require documenting all findings and those will be reported to the FAA. No aircraft will be returned to service until all of these steps are complete. The safety of these aircraft is our priority and we will take the time and steps necessary to ensure their airworthiness, in close partnership with the FAA.
United Airlines also found loose bolts on several Boeing 737-9 MAX planes.
“United Airlines said Monday that it has found loose bolts on door plugs of several Boeing 737 Max 9 planes during inspections spurred when a panel of that type blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight using that type of aircraft last week,” CNBC wrote.
BREAKING: United Airlines has found loose bolts and other parts on 737 Max 9 plug doors as it inspects its fleet of Boeing jets following the Friday rapid depressurization aboard an Alaska Airlines jet of the same make – The Air Current pic.twitter.com/JmNIQ1hntF
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 8, 2024
WATCH:
United Airlines says inspectors found loose bolts on the door plugs on several of its grounded 737 Max 9 planes days after an unused exit door blew out of an Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight. The NTSB says the door was found in a backyard near Portland. https://t.co/moWArVLS7b pic.twitter.com/VWTMK0XkEg
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 9, 2024
CNBC reports:
Alaska has 65 of the Max 9 planes in its fleet. United has 79, making it the biggest operator of the jet model.
“Since we began preliminary inspections on Saturday, we have found instances that appear to relate to installation issues in the door plug — for example, bolts that needed additional tightening,” United said in a statement. “These findings will be remedied by our Tech Ops team to safely return the aircraft to service.”
The FAA earlier Monday declined to comment on the airline’s findings.
Plane manufacturer Boeing said earlier Monday it issued instructions to airlines to conduct the inspections of the Max 9s in their fleets. United had begun some preliminary inspection work in the past few days.
“We are committed to ensuring every Boeing airplane meets design specifications and the highest safety and quality standards,” Boeing said in a statement Monday evening. “We regret the impact this has had on our customers and their passengers.”
No one was seriously injured in the accident aboard the Alaska Airlines flight, though the blown-out panel produced a force so violent that some headrests and seatbacks were ripped from the cabin and the cockpit door was flung open, according to initial details of a federal safety investigation. No passengers were seated in the two seats next to the panel.