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During a significant federal safety hearing on Tuesday, officials examined a serious malfunction involving the door mechanism on a nearly new Boeing 737 Max 9. This investigation, led by Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), took place at the NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C. The focus was on a distressing incident during Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on January 5, 2024, which prompted urgent discussions about aviation safety and manufacturing practices.
The hearing revealed that Boeing is actively developing modifications to enhance the design reliability of the 737 Max 9 following the door failure. Elizabeth Lund, head of safety for Boeing’s commercial airplane division, assured that these changes are designed to prevent the door from closing unless it is securely locked, with implementation expected within the year.
Over 3,000 pages of documents were released by the NTSB ahead of this detailed two-day inquiry. These documents include interviews with Boeing staff and insights into problems at Spirit AeroSystems, which has been associated with several production issues. Preliminary findings suggest that the bolts meant to secure the door were improperly tightened, though fortunately, the incident did not result in serious injuries.
“This is strictly an investigation; it’s not a platform for Boeing to enhance its public image,” emphasized Chair Homendy during the proceedings.
The repercussions of the door malfunction have been severe for Boeing, leading to a reshuffling of its management, including the appointment of Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, a seasoned aerospace executive from Rockwell Collins, as the new CEO. This change aims to steer the company through its current challenges, including delayed aircraft deliveries and strained relationships with airlines and regulatory bodies.
Further complicating Boeing’s situation is the ongoing issue of ‘traveled work,’ where defects in plane parts require out-of-sequence repairs before aircraft delivery. In response, Boeing has moved to acquire Spirit AeroSystems, a strategy intended to tighten control over manufacturing quality.
As the hearing unfolded, a Boeing employee testified about the frequency of door replacements, comparing it to “changing our underwear,” highlighting the routine nature of such critical maintenance on the planes.
The NTSB plans to continue its rigorous examination of these safety and manufacturing defects to ensure such near-catastrophic failures are prevented in the future.
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