Loose Bolts Found In Boeing 737 Max 9 Inspections
United Airlines revealed on Monday that loose bolts were discovered during inspections of Boeing 737 Max 9s, prompting concerns about the aircraft's safety.
The inspections come as a result of a recent incident where a section of the fuselage fell off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 mid-flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded 171 planes of the same model for enhanced inspections, focusing on door plugs and fasteners. Both United and Alaska Airlines have cancelled flights, causing significant impacts to their services.
The incident has raised questions about the production process and quality control for the Boeing 737 Max 9. United Airlines, with the largest fleet of 79 Max 9 planes, found bolts requiring "additional tightening” while Alaska Airlines reported initial checks indicating "loose hardware" on some of their aircraft. The FAA has stated that the Boeing 737 Max 9’s will remain grounded until examinations are completed.
It has been reported by the BBC that the Alaska Airlines allowed the affected Boeing plane to continue flying despite warnings from a cabin pressurisation system. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) disclosed that warning lights triggered on three flights made by the plane in question, with two consecutive alarms preceding the mid-air blowout.
Although the plane was prevented from flying over the Pacific due to the warnings, it continued flying over land. The NTSB emphasised that maintenance crews cleared the plane, but the airline opted not to use it for long routes over water to ensure a quick return to an airport in case of recurring warnings. It is currently unknown if the warnings and the blowout are connected.
As Boeing 737 Max 9s face heightened scrutiny, airlines and regulators are working to address safety concerns and ensure compliance with inspection protocols.
