Boeing has announced plans to make design changes in order to prevent a repeat of the midair cabin panel blowout that occurred on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 flight in January. The incident has sparked a major crisis for the aircraft manufacturer, leading to grounding of the MAX 9, a ban on expanding production by the FAA, a criminal investigation, and the departure of key executives.
During a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigative hearing in Washington, DC, Boeing’s senior vice president for quality, Elizabeth Lund, revealed that the missing bolts in the Alaska MAX 9 cabin panel led to the incident. Boeing is now working on design changes to ensure the door plug is fully secure before it is closed, and has implemented new procedures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The NTSB has released 3,800 pages of factual reports and interviews from the ongoing investigation. The hearing is reviewing various issues including 737 manufacturing and inspections, safety and quality management systems, FAA oversight, and factory culture at Boeing.
Boeing executives, including Lund and Doug Ackerman, vice president of supplier quality, are testifying at the hearings and discussing the changes being made to prevent future incidents. The NTSB has expressed frustration with Boeing, urging the company to clarify its policies and address systemic issues in its manufacturing processes.
The hearing also highlighted concerns about the workload and safety culture at Boeing, with whistleblowers alleging retaliation against employees bringing safety concerns forward. Boeing, which recently plead guilty to criminal fraud charges and agreed to pay a fine, is working to improve its quality control and safety standards to prevent future incidents.
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