In response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) announcement of inspection protocols for the Boeing 737 MAX 9, United Airlines has indicated its expectation for the grounded aircraft to return to service, with the process set to commence from Sunday onward.
Toby Enqvist, Chief Operations Officer at United Airlines, stated, “We will only return each MAX 9 aircraft to service once this thorough inspection process is complete.” The comprehensive inspection follows the grounding of 171 MAX 9 planes by the FAA after an incident on an Alaska Airlines flight on January 5.
The incident involved a blowout of a panel on the fuselage, exposing passengers to open air and necessitating an emergency landing. While there were no injuries, safety inspectors highlighted the potential catastrophic nature of the event.
The FAA’s “enhanced maintenance” process entails a meticulous examination of specific bolts and fittings, detailed visual inspections of plugs and components, and addressing any damage associated with a part known as a door plug. The FAA clarified that the aircraft would not operate until the inspection process is complete and compliance with the original design is confirmed.
Boeing pledged to collaborate transparently with the FAA and support airlines in completing the required inspection procedures to safely reintroduce their 737-9 airplanes into service.
This development marks a significant step for Boeing, as it comes on the heels of the first major in-flight safety issue on a Boeing plane since the grounding of the 737 MAX following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker emphasized that Boeing would not be allowed to increase MAX output until the agency is satisfied that quality control issues are fully addressed.
Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun addressed the issue during discussions on Capitol Hill, asserting the commitment to safety and transparency. Meanwhile, a detailed update on the investigation by the Seattle Times, based on a whistleblower, revealed potential lapses in the repair and installation of the panel in question, prompting further scrutiny.
Senate hearings are anticipated, with Senator Maria Cantwell expressing the intent to investigate the root causes of safety lapses, emphasizing the need for a culture at Boeing that prioritizes safety over profits.
