The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Wednesday that it is initiating a formal investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX 9 following an alarming incident where a cabin panel detached from an Alaska Airlines flight mid-air, leading to an emergency landing.
In response to the incident, the FAA has temporarily grounded 171 Boeing jets equipped with the same panel, with the majority operated by US carriers Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. Safety inspections are underway before the planes can be cleared for flight again.
The incident further compounds a series of events that have raised concerns within the aviation industry regarding Boeing’s aircraft. The FAA emphasised that the Alaska Airlines MAX 9 incident “should have never happened and it cannot happen again.”
What is the purpose of the investigation?
In a letter to Boeing on Wednesday, the FAA outlined the purpose of the investigation: to determine whether Boeing failed to ensure that completed products adhered to the approved design and were in a condition for safe operation, as mandated by FAA regulations.
Boeing has not yet responded to the FAA’s investigation. On Thursday, Boeing’s shares experienced a 1.6% decline.
Loose parts on multiple grounded Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft
Both Alaska and United Airlines reported finding loose parts on multiple grounded aircraft during preliminary checks, leading to new worries about the manufacturing process for Boeing’s popular jet family.
The carriers have canceled numerous flights while the planes remain grounded, awaiting revised inspection and maintenance instructions from Boeing, subject to FAA approval.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledged the incident as a “quality escape” in the MAX 9 cabin. The FAA emphasised the importance of Boeing’s manufacturing practices aligning with the high safety standards they are obligated to meet.
Safety first
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg declined to provide a specific timeline for when the FAA might permit the resumption of flights for these planes, adding that safety is the foremost consideration in the decision-making process.
This incident adds to Boeing’s challenges, as the company continues to recover from the grounding of the 737 MAX in 2019 following crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Boeing concluded 2023 in second place behind Airbus in aircraft deliveries for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting the ongoing impact of previous crises on its market share.