What’s happening:
U.S. aviation regulators have imposed a temporary grounding on 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners following a serious incident involving an Alaska Airlines aircraft. The plane in question was forced to make an emergency landing after experiencing a cabin blowout.
Why it matters:
The recent incident has raised new safety concerns over Boeing’s jets, which were previously grounded globally after two fatal crashes. As Boeing continues to struggle with regaining trust in its fleet’s safety, this new setback signifies another challenge for the aircraft manufacturer.
The incident details:
The Alaska Airlines jet, only in service for eight weeks, sustained a structural failure that tore off part of its left side fuselage while ascending from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California. Although the aircraft landed safely with no reported serious injuries to the 171 passengers or six crew members, this incident has led to further inspections of affected aircraft models.
Immediate actions:
Following the incident, Alaska Air and United Airlines temporarily ceased operations of some 737 MAX 9 jets as a proactive response to the FAA’s safety concerns. These airlines are now in the process of determining necessary measures to ensure their jets are safe to return to service.
Industry impact:
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision falls short of the full global grounding seen in the past but still represents a significant measure affecting Boeing’s flagship model. The FAA is investigating the cause of the fuselage failure with required inspections to follow before the affected jets can fly again.
Boeing and global scrutiny:
Boeing supported the FAA’s mandate, while other countries, including China, are seeking more information on the incident. The 737 MAX was already under intense scrutiny following two deadly crashes attributed to design flaws, leading to a 20-month global grounding that was lifted in late 2020.
Operational impact:
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the U.S. carriers operating the MAX 9, faced disruptions and cancellations following the FAA’s directive. Alaska Airlines anticipates the grounding to affect travel at least through mid-week, while United Airlines has suspended operations of the jet pending further instructions from the FAA.
Going forward:
Boeing is awaiting certification of its MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants, necessary to remain competitive in the aviation industry. Additional production issues on the MAX planes have arisen since the past crashes, with Boeing just last week urging airlines to inspect all 737 MAX airplanes for another potential issue involving a loose bolt in the rudder control system.
Passenger statements:
Passengers from the afflicted Alaska Airlines flight described the harrowing experience, noting the panic that ensued when oxygen masks were deployed and the plane experienced severe turbulence due to the blowout.
This story was first published on jpost.com.