FAA Recommends Inspections for Additional Boeing Aircraft

(IntegrityTimes.com) – Passengers were in fear for their lives on January 5 when an Alaskan Airlines flight destined for Ontario, Canada, had to turn around and make an emergency landing at Portland International Airport. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after a panel blew out of the plane shortly after takeoff. The directive resulted in 171 planes being taken out of the sky while a federal investigation was underway. The following day, the airline canceled 160 flights, causing disruptions for 23,000 passengers.

The FAA issued a safety alert on January 21 that recommended airlines conduct inspections of a different Boeing jet, the 737-900ER. The alert said that the plane has an “identical door plug design” to the 737 MAX 9. It said that operators “noted findings with bolts” during inspections of the 737-900ER and gave specific directions regarding which parts to inspect to make sure the door plug does not move. Additional maintenance tasks were also recommended for the location where the bolts are installed “to secure the door to the airframe.” Boeing responded to the safety alert, making clear that it was supportive of the actions recommended by the FAA.

The safety alert came just three days after an Atlas Air Boeing 747-8 cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing after flames began shooting from an area near one of the engines. A video of the plane making its way back to Miami International Airport went viral on social media, thrusting Boeing back into the headlines once again. Five crew members were unharmed, and the incident occurred shortly after takeoff. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident. The FAA said that an inspection of the plane found a softball-sized hole above the engine. A spokesperson from Boeing said that the company was supporting Atlas Air and the NTSB. The FAA said that the plane is just eight years old and has four General Electric engines.

Copyright 2024, IntegrityTimes.com