The grounding of Boeing Co.’s 737 Max 9 has gained momentum worldwide after a fuselage section on a new Alaska Airlines jet blew out during flight. The incident occurred on January 5, prompting swift actions from airlines, aviation authorities, and regulators.
Following the Alaska Airlines decision to keep its 65 737 Max 9s grounded, United Airlines, the model’s primary operator with 79 jets, also grounded some of its planes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) subsequently ordered a temporary grounding of 171 planes, triggering a cascading response from other carriers.
Aeromexico and Panama’s Copa Airlines joined the grounding, marking the most severe reaction since the global grounding of Boeing’s entire Max aircraft fleet in 2019 after two fatal crashes. The 737 Max is Boeing’s flagship model, and this recent incident puts scrutiny back on the company’s manufacturing controls.
Jennifer Homendy, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board, emphasized that the incident is considered an accident, not an incident. The FAA’s move is supported by Boeing, and the company is closely coordinating with the regulator and customers.
The Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident involved pressurization issues, leading to a blown-out section of the fuselage. The aircraft returned safely to Portland, Oregon, with no serious injuries reported among the 171 passengers and six crew members.
China’s aviation regulator is reportedly considering a response, including the potential grounding of the Boeing Max fleet in the country. Notably, China was the first country to ground the 737 Max after the previous crashes.
Boeing, already grappling with manufacturing defects and repairs, faces a setback as the 737 Max 9 is a crucial part of its portfolio. The grounding comes as Boeing was gearing up to increase production of its Max aircraft.
Safety concerns have been raised, prompting lawmakers to seek answers from the FAA and Boeing. Representative Norma Torres expressed concerns over Boeing’s track record and the FAA’s safety oversight.
The 737 Max 9, Boeing’s longest single-aisle variant, has faced previous issues, including pressurization problems. The grounding will impact thousands of flights scheduled by Alaska Airlines and United in January.
This setback adds to Boeing’s challenges, including fixing misaligned drilling holes and monitoring targeted inspections for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system.
Disclaimer: Magadh Today does not endorse any claims or views mentioned in this article.
