United Airlines found loose bolts in their Boeing 737 Max 9 jets that are similar to the part of an Alaska Airlines plane that exploded mid-flight, posing safety concerns regarding the Max 9. United discovered the loose bolts in the panels, known as plugs in the industry, after starting to take out seats and sidewall liners to inspect the part over the weekend. Alaska Airlines was warned three times about problems with cabin pressure on its plane, leading the airline to decide not to use it for flights to Hawaii. The Federal Aviation Administration’s instructions for inspections and the NTSB’s focus on the installation and inspection of the plug are indicative of the seriousness of the situation.
The safety concerns surrounding the Max 9 have led to hundreds of flight cancellations and the grounding of nearly 200 aircraft. Both Alaska Airlines and United are waiting on additional approval from the F.A.A. to begin these necessary inspections. Investigators are closely analyzing the door plug from the grounded Alaska Airlines plane and the installation of wireless internet equipment by a contractor, AAR, as potential factors for the pressurization problems. The severity of a potential blowout at cruising altitude over 30,000 feet and the potential risks of failing to control pressurization properly are also undergoing scrutiny. The F.A.A. and Boeing are working diligently to provide comprehensive, technical instructions for the required inspections for the Max 9 planes in the United States.
The crash has also significantly impacted Boeing’s stocks, causing them to close down 8 percent, as well as Spirit AeroSystems’ stocks, which closed down 11 percent. The incident signals a critical time for the company as it works to secure approval of other versions of the Max jet and puts pressure on the aviation industry to ensure the safety of its planes. With the ongoing investigations and the significant impact on airlines, passengers, and the aviation industry as a whole, the outcome of the ongoing inspections and potential changes will be closely watched and awaited.