Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets could resume operations by the upcoming weekend, as stated by major U.S. carriers Alaska and United Airlines. These aircraft have been grounded since a door plug incident occurred during an Alaska Airlines flight earlier this month. The incident caused a significant hole in the side of the aircraft mid-flight. Thankfully, the skilled pilots were able to perform a safe landing. According to a person familiar with the matter, the door plug had been opened and reinstalled by workers at a Boeing factory due to a rig issue, about a month before the MAX 9 was delivered to Alaska Airlines in October.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently cleared the path for the return of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes to service, pending a series of inspections. The FAA has ensured that the grounding of these aircraft, which lasted for 19 days, has come to an end. The decision was based on a thorough review of data provided by Boeing and the airlines, with around a quarter of the U.S. fleet of MAX 9 aircraft being assessed. However, individual airlines must conduct final checks on each plane before resuming operations.
The FAA has outlined specific requirements for the inspections, which include a detailed visual examination of the door plug that became dislodged from Alaska Airlines flight 1282. In addition, the FAA is calling for assessments of the bolts and guides that secure the door plug to the plane. Any abnormalities that are identified must be addressed and rectified. Notably, both airlines operating these planes in the U.S. had previously found loose bolts on the door plug.
Alaska Airlines, which operates 65 MAX 9 aircraft, anticipates that the inspections will take approximately 12 hours per plane. Consequently, the first few MAX 9s for Alaska Airlines are expected to be back in the air as early as Friday. United Airlines, with 79 MAX 9s in its fleet, plans to have its planes flying by Sunday. The airlines are eager to conclude this chapter after numerous flight cancellations have been necessitated by the grounding.
However, questions regarding the safety of these aircraft persist. It is essential to note that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has yet to complete its investigation into the incidents. When queried about public confidence in the MAX 9's airworthiness, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker responded that the aircraft would only be allowed to return to service once the issue had been fully resolved.
The FAA has also disclosed that it will reject Boeing's proposals to expand MAX production while undergoing an audit of its quality control. Inspectors are presently on-site at Boeing's Renton plant in Washington, where production has been temporarily halted for a quality stand down. Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, assured lawmakers during a recent hearing that their planes are safe to fly.
