United Airlines has announced the discovery of potential safety issues related to the installation of door plugs on multiple 737 Max 9 aircraft. The airline revealed that during inspections, it identified loose bolts on the door plug, necessitating additional tightening. This revelation follows the recent mid-air incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9, where a window and fuselage section blew out, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground all 171 Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft.
Industry reports indicate that United Airlines found loose bolts on various components of at least five panels during inspections conducted after the Alaska Airlines incident. The airline, which operates a fleet of 79 737-9 aircraft, stated that it is committed to addressing these findings promptly to restore the affected planes to service.
Alaska Airlines, in response to the incident, canceled 141 scheduled flights on Monday. The FAA and Boeing have yet to provide official comments on the matter. The Alaska Airlines flight experienced a door plug detachment after takeoff from Portland, leading to depressurization and a forced return by the pilots. The missing plug, later discovered by a school teacher in Portland, will be closely examined by investigators to determine the cause of its detachment.
Notably, the Alaska Airlines aircraft had experienced auto-pressurization issues in December of the previous year and January of the current year. Following these incidents, the airline restricted the aircraft from undertaking long flights over water to Hawaii. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating whether there is any connection between these past events and the recent mid-air incident, as uncertainty looms over the safety of the 737 Max 9 fleet.
Revelations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shed light on the harrowing aftermath of the mid-air incident involving the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy detailed the chaotic scene inside the aircraft, disclosing that a sudden rush of air caused extensive damage to multiple rows of seats. The impact was so severe that the cockpit door was forcibly thrown open, colliding with a toilet door in the process.
The turbulence of the event left a stark visual imprint on the surroundings, with two mobile phones believed to belong to passengers found amidst the debris. One phone was discovered in a nearby garden, while the other was located on the side of a road. The investigation into the incident takes on added urgency as the NTSB works to piece together the sequence of events leading to the in-flight emergency.
Tragically, the toll of the incident extended to the crew, with six members sustaining serious injuries. As investigators delve into the specifics of the aircraft's structural integrity and potential contributing factors, the details provided by Ms. Homendy underscore the severity of the ordeal experienced by those aboard the ill-fated flight.
As the investigation into the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 mid-air incident unfolds, the vivid details shared by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy paint a stark picture of the chaos and severity of the event. The rush of air that damaged rows of seats, flung open the cockpit door, and collided with a toilet door speaks to the intensity of the in-flight emergency. The discovery of mobile phones belonging to passengers in unexpected locations adds a poignant layer to the aftermath, highlighting the disarray within the cabin.
Against this backdrop, the serious injuries sustained by six crew members underscore the physical toll of the incident, further emphasizing the urgency and significance of the ongoing investigation. As aviation authorities work diligently to unravel the sequence of events and determine the factors contributing to the structural failure, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and integrity of aircraft systems. The conclusions drawn from this investigation will not only provide closure to those affected but also contribute valuable insights to enhance the safety protocols of future flights.