It is reported that in the wake of a critical incident involving a Boeing 737-9 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines, which on January 5 suffered a blowout to its left mid-cabin door plug in flight, now the Federal Aviation Administration is going to significantly ramp up its oversight of Boeing’s production and manufacturing processes. This comes after a still-unexplained issue prompted an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 9 MAX to make an emergency landing as quickly as possible when a left mid-cabin door plug suddenly blew out during a flight on January 5, raising serious questions over the safety and manufacturing quality of the aircraft.
The FAA’s six-week audit of Boeing and its primary supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, turned up numerous lapses in adhering to manufacturing quality control requirements. Specifically, it revealed a failure in Boeing’s process controls over manufacturing, handling, storage of parts, and overall product control. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated that Boeing has to address these broad, systemic quality-control problems as part of a far-reaching corrective action plan.
“Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,” Whitaker said, adding that foundational changes were needed inside the aircraft manufacturer. He told Boeing leaders that they had to keep pushing these efforts forward, with the FAA watching every step of their progress.
On the back of the incident and its resultant findings, the FAA has stopped further expansion of Boeing 737 MAX production. It is also mulling over independent third-party reviews of the quality systems of Boeing and increased its onsite presence at Boeing’s Renton, Washington, facility, and Spirit AeroSystems’ Wichita, Kansas, plant.
The FAA has ordered a scrutiny and maintenance process for the 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft grounded. Detailed inspections of specific bolts, guide tracks, fittings, and mid-cabin exit door plugs will be required. It will further provide for the retorquing of fasteners and correcting damage or abnormal conditions noted during inspections. Only after these inspections are completed and compliance with original design standards is assured will these planes be returned to service.
The FAA’s moves come amid a broader drive to hold Boeing to the highest standards on safety. It has opened an investigation into the manufacturing processes of Boeing and is examining the processes of quality control within the company. This consists of checking on potential reforms with an inclination towards safety over quality control and delegation.
Boeing Company CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledged the situation by saying that every detail matters to secure their plane’s safety and integrity. Spirit AeroSystems also promised to cooperate with Boeing in rectifying the issues at bay since it manufactures almost 70% of the 737 aircraft body.
The enhanced oversight and inspection requirements by the FAA further underscore the agency’s seriousness concerning its commitment to protecting the safety of the flying public. The incident involving Alaska Airlines remains under investigation by the NTSB, with the FAA having joined in to support the process.
What the FAA knows, however, is that pending is a review panel report by experts on Boeing’s safety culture. Undeterred by this commitment to keeping Boeing responsible and ensuring a repetition of the past does not recur, it moves on. Safety in the flying public is of paramount interest to the FAA, and it shall leave no stone unturned to uphold this commitment with every means at its disposal.