FAA grounds 171 Boeing planes following mid-air blowout on Alaska Airlines flight
During landing after take-off from Oregon, part of the plane detached, prompting immediate safety measures
January 07, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a directive grounding 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 jets for inspections after a concerning incident on an Alaska Airlines flight.
During the emergency landing after take-off from Oregon, part of the plane detached, prompting immediate safety measures. United Airlines, with 79 affected planes, has completed the required inspections, acknowledging around 60 cancellations as a consequence.
The FAA stated that the four to eight hours per aircraft inspections were necessary for certain Boeing 737 Max 9 planes operated by US airlines or within US territory. Turkish Airlines has also initiated checks on its five planes of the same model.
In the Alaska Airlines incident, the flight en route from Portland to Ontario experienced an emergency descent at 16,000 feet, leading to a safe return to Portland.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating, assuring that no one was seated in the affected section. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasised the fortunate outcome and urged locals to report the detached door if found.
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed no UK-registered 737 Max 9 aircraft. Non-UK carriers were requested to perform inspections before operating in UK airspace.
Passenger accounts revealed a loud bang, air masks dropping, and a child's shirt being pulled off. The affected area, behind the wing and engines, seemed to involve a section that can serve as an emergency exit, though not utilised by Alaska. Aviation safety expert Terry Tozer highlighted the potential risks to passengers near the detached section.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci announced the grounding of 65 planes initially, ensuring service return only after comprehensive maintenance and safety inspections. Subsequent statements revealed over a quarter of the inspected planes showed no issues, allowing them to resume service.
Boeing supported the FAA's decision and committed to cooperating with the NTSB's investigation. The incident is the latest challenge for Boeing's 737 Max, previously grounded for nearly two years after crashes in 2018 and 2019, underscoring ongoing concerns about the model's safety.
