In a critical development following the recent in-flight incident on Alaska Airlines flight 1282, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an extensive audit of the Boeing 737 Max 9 production line and its suppliers. This audit will primarily focus on ensuring stringent quality control measures to address ongoing safety concerns.
The FAA labeled this announcement a “significant action,” coming exactly one week after the dramatic occurrence when a part known as a “door plug” was forcefully blown off the side of the plane during the Alaska Airlines flight. The FAA intends to evaluate safety risks associated with delegated authority and quality oversight in a practice that FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker deems essential to “re-examine.”
Whitaker went further by raising the prospect of outsourcing certain oversight responsibilities. The FAA is exploring the utilization of an independent third party to supervise Boeing’s inspections and quality systems, a move aimed at enhancing accountability and objectivity in the oversight process.
Notably, the FAA’s announcement does not specify when the grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 will return to service. Presently, 171 of these aircraft remain grounded in the United States as airlines Alaska and United await updated emergency inspection guidance from the FAA.
Also Read: Boeing 737 Max 9s Grounded After Door Plug Issues, Raising Safety Concerns.
The absence of a defined timeline raises concerns about a potentially prolonged grounding until the FAA can ascertain the safety of these aircraft. Alaska Airlines, acknowledging the uncertainty, has canceled all flights on 737-9 Max aircraft through Saturday, January 13, impacting approximately 110-150 flights per day. United Airlines has also been compelled to cancel hundreds of flights daily due to the grounding.
Boeing CEO David Calhoun publicly acknowledged a “mistake” related to the Alaska Airlines incident during a company-wide safety meeting. He emphasized Boeing’s commitment to addressing the issue with complete transparency, ensuring accountability at every step.
In an interview with CNBC, Calhoun described the door plug failure as a “horrible escape” from Boeing’s manufacturing and quality control processes. He conceded that such a mistake should never happen and committed to rectifying the issues comprehensively.
Despite the challenges, Calhoun expressed confidence in the ongoing work of the FAA, assuring that each Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft would undergo meticulous inspection to ensure conformance with the proven design standards.
This incident adds to Boeing’s recent history of safety and quality concerns. The 737 Max’s design was implicated in two fatal crashes, leading to a prolonged grounding and substantial financial losses. Internal communications revealed disparaging remarks about the jet’s design, contributing to concerns about Boeing’s internal culture.
Boeing has faced additional challenges, including the recent request for airlines to inspect all 737 Max jets for potential issues. The company also twice halted deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner and experienced a grounding of the 777 jet due to engine failures.
The FAA’s comprehensive audit and potential outsourcing of oversight signal a concerted effort to address underlying issues and restore confidence in the safety and reliability of Boeing’s aircraft. The aerospace giant faces a critical period as it navigates through these challenges to ensure the continued airworthiness of its fleet.