Boeing Implements Major Changes in 737 Max Production

Boeing is intensifying efforts to enhance the quality assurance and controls in its 737 production following the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident.

Boeing Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal communicated the company’s response, emphasizing the inspection of 737-9 fleets with a focus on mid-exit door plugs, aligning them with specifications. In light of ongoing tasks to gain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the affected aircraft, Boeing is implementing various measures.

To expedite the approval for ungrounding the affected 737-9s, Boeing is conducting additional inspections throughout the production process at both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems. These inspections, adding an extra layer of scrutiny, are part of Boeing’s commitment to improving quality and compliance. Since 2019, the company has increased the number of quality inspectors by 20% and plans to make further investments in the Quality function.

To enhance transparency, Boeing is opening its factories to 737 operators for additional oversight inspections, inviting insights and findings from airline representatives. An independent party will conduct a thorough review of Boeing’s Quality Management System at Commercial Airplanes, suggesting further improvements.

As part of the ongoing efforts, Boeing will conduct meticulous inspections of mid-exit door plugs in new 737-9s, complying with FAA mandates. The company is working closely with the FAA, providing additional data from 40 plug door inspections on grounded MAX 9 aircraft to secure approval for inspection and maintenance instructions necessary for returning the aircraft to service.