Boeing Successfully completes FAA-Mandated Inspections on 40 Grounded 737-9

In response to a midair blowout incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed plug door inspections on 40 grounded Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes.

The FAA mandated additional checks after initial inspections and maintenance instructions from Boeing proved insufficient. Boeing must now develop an “extensive and rigorous inspection and maintenance process,” subject to FAA approval, before these aircraft can return to service.

Having taken swift action to ground 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX airplanes, the FAA is intensifying its oversight of Boeing’s manufacturing practices and production lines, including those involving subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems. This heightened scrutiny aims to ensure the safety of future flights and involves a thorough examination of potential system changes.

The FAA, announcing its commitment to a meticulous review process, stated that it would convene a Corrective Action Review Board to assess data before making any decisions on resuming flights. No specific timeline for a decision has been provided.

The FAA is also actively supporting the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, confirming receipt of necessary plug door data from Boeing on January 17, 2024. Thorough review of this data precedes final inspections of the grounded aircraft.